McIlroy European Golfer of Year

Getty Images

Rory McIlroy has been named the 2014 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year after a stunning season on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Northern Irishman won the Race to Dubai and topped the PGA Tour money list, as well as winning the Open Championship and US PGA Championship as he reclaimed the world number one spot.

The 25-year-old also won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, and adds the honour to the Golf Writers Trophy he was awarded last week.

McIlroy also played in all five sessions as Europe won the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, claiming three points as the United States were defeated 16.5-11.5

“To be named the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for a second time is a huge honour and one I am extremely proud of,” he said.

“If I had won any one of those four titles it would have been a good year, but to win all four, to win The Race to Dubai, and to be part of another fantastic European victory in The Ryder Cup, means it is a great one.

“This award is a very nice way to round off the year. The European Tour has always been good to me, so it is always special to be recognised in this way. Hopefully I can have more years like this one and win the award again.”

The award is decided by a panel comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers and commentators from television and radio and McIlroy has been awarded the honour for the second time after also winning in 2012.

European Tour chief executive George O’Grady said: “The 2014 season will go down as one of the greatest in the European Tour’s history, and it will be defined by Rory McIlroy’s astounding accomplishments on the global stage.

“Europe’s performance to retain The Ryder Cup and Martin Kaymer’s dominant victories in the US Open and Players Championship on the US PGA Tour alone would have made it a year to remember for European golf, but Rory’s victories in four of the biggest championships on our international schedule will ensure the story of this season is retold for many years to come. Quite rightly, therefore, it is Rory who receives our Golfer of the Year Award for 2014.

“Rory is a fine ambassador for the game of golf and a loyal supporter of the European Tour, as he has shown with his backing of the Irish Open next year, so we are all very proud of his success, not only during this year but across his career to date.”

Related articles

• Mcilroy named golfer of the year
• Rory McIlroy scoops 2014 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year
• Rory McIlroy wins Golf Writers Trophy for second time in three years post successful 2014 season
• McIlroy Named European Tour's Golfer of Year
• McIlroy wins Golf Writers Trophy
• McIlroy named European Tour's Golfer of Year

McIlroy Appeals for Younger Audiience

Rory McIlroy has urged golf’s rule-makers to quicken the game up at grass-roots level in order to make it more attractive to youngsters.

More people are watching the sport on television these days but fewer are taking to the fairways and the 25-year-old Northern Irishman believes something needs to be done to reverse the trend.

“Everything’s so instant now and everyone doesn’t have as much time as they used to so you maybe try some way of speeding the game up,” McIlroy told BBC radio. “The viewership in golf is up but the participation is down. People enjoy watching the game but gone are the days that you could spend five or six hours on a golf course.”

The four-time major champion says officials at the top of the sport would be willing to make changes if they were of benefit.

“I don’t think they’d be against it especially if they wanted to get participation levels up,” explained McIlroy. “I don’t think they need to alter tournament-play formats, I think that works very well. It’s the grass-roots, definitely not at our level.

“I feel as though I’ve inspired a lot of kids back home in Northern Ireland to pick up the game and play,” said McIlroy who won the British Open at Hoylake in July and the US PGA Championshipin Kentucky in August. “Hopefully I can continue to do that beyond Northern Ireland because it’s a great game. It’s given me a lot and I’ve loved every minute of it and I know if more people pick up the game they’ll love it too.”

Related articles

• McIlroy Wants to Speed Things Up to Attract More Youngsters
• McIlroy wants to speed things up to attract more youngsters
• Waldorf hotel sold to Chinese firm
• Active relaxation in the Pacific Islands
• Plan a Memorable Stay in Montego Bay
• McIlroy to cut out 'bad stuff' after rollercoaster round