Watch out Monty, Rory is coming for you.
Rory McIlroy got his hands on the Harry Vardon Trophy after being crowned Europe’s number one golfer and he has set himself the lofty ambition of trying to match or beat Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight season number one spots.
Fourth place at the DP World Tour Championship was enough for Rory to win the trophy for the fourth time overall and the first time since 2015.
He is in an elite group of two after following Henrik Stenson’s feat in 2013 of topping both the European and PGA Tour rankings in the same year.
Rory’s fourth win takes him past three-time winners Lee Westwood, Sandy Lyle and Peter Oosterhuis and up to third in European Order of Merit history behind Monty and the great Seve Ballesteros who won six.
Can he catch Monty? He’s certainly good enough but it is a big challenge when he splits his time between the PGA Tour and Europe.
It will be fascinating watching him try though.
Masters the immediate target for McIlroy
For now though, Monty’s record can wait as I expect adding to his major haul and the Masters in particular will be Rory’s big aim for 2023.
I know he is desperate to complete the career grand slam and Augusta National will be uppermost in his thoughts come spring.
What always impresses me about Rory is how well he seems to take it all in his stride.
He is always looking to gain an extra one percent in every aspect of his game and he doesn’t get too down if things don’t go his way.
Take St Andrews in the summer for example. He played so well at the Open and really wanted to win the 150th edition of the tournament.
He was 16 under par after three brilliant rounds and had a bogey-free final round of two under par 70 to make it to 18 under.
However, Cam Smith played brilliantly with a closing 64 to win the tournament.
Rory responded to that disappointment by finishing the season as the number one in Europe and the United States.
Rory continues to evolve
He’s not resting on his laurels either as he looks to make further improvements.
I notice he has been wearing the blood glucose monitor used by diabetics to maximise his performance on the golf course.
It seems to be paying off him too as his club speed is between five and six miles faster on course this year than at any point in his career.
That’s taking him into Bryson DeChambeau territory without undergoing the physical transformation of his counterpart.
Rory is doing it too while using the same equipment as the rest of it. He’s hugely impressive.
When I see the consistency and the numbers Rory is putting up, I don’t see the ongoing lengthening of Augusta being an issue for him at all.
If anything, it is playing into his hands.
Looking good for Luke
One man who will be thrilled at how the DP World Tour Championship concluded on Sunday is Europe captain Luke Donald.
The top six in Dubai would have been music to his ears.
Jon Rahm as the winner followed by runners-up Tyrrell Hatton and Alex Noren, Rory McIlroy in fourth with Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood tied for fifth.
That’s potentially his six guys in the team for next year’s Ryder Cup right there.
That’s before you throw the likes of Shane Lowry in there too.
We don’t know in the current climate what 2023 holds but I would hope all the guys I’ve mentioned are committed to being part of the Ryder Cup next year.
Nicolas Colsaerts’ appointment as one of Luke’s vice-captains on Tuesday is really bringing it all into focus that the countdown is now firmly under way.
He’s a top lad and will be a great addition to the backroom staff.
I just wish the match against the Americans was happening soon.
The form our guys are in, I’d really our fancy our chances of winning in Rome right now.
Playing the 2023 waiting game
I’ve had some time to process the fact I won’t have my DP World Tour card and at this point it’s all about trying to plan for the new season.
I’m playing the waiting game at the moment as I try to establish how best to map out my schedule.
I’ve asked for a few invites to DP World Tour events and I’m waiting to hear if I will be successful in getting some.
I hope to be out in Dubai at the start of 2023 and I know whichever events I am fortunate enough to receive an invitation for are the ones I need to perform well in.
I’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of me and the events I play in will be limited after losing my card.
So with that in mind I’m quite happy to play on the Challenge Tour to ensure I’m not only playing competitive golf but also fit and raring to go when DP World Tour opportunities do come my way.
The goal is to regain my card and I’m ready to put in the work to achieve no matter what it takes.
Conversation