Rory McIlroy misses out but is happy going into 2015 in ‘a better place’

DUBAI // Moments after his tied-second at the DP World Tour Championship was confirmed, Rory McIlroy was asked to do a spot straight to camera for Golf Channel, the US TV network.

Microphone in hand, the world No 1 ran through the standout shots that helped shape a career year, describing the two finest swipes that teed up the season’s final two majors, the British Open and US PGA Championship.

Add to that a second Race to Dubai title in three years and it has sure been 12 months to remember.

With 2014 all done bar the shouting – McIlroy concludes his schedule next week at the Australian Open – the focus has already shifted to 2015.

In truth, it has occupied the mind for a little while already: April’s Masters and the opportunity to clinch the career grand slam cannot come soon enough.

“I started thinking about Augusta on the 18th of August when I won the PGA,” McIlroy said, to laughter, post-round yesterday.

At the age of 25 and a four-time major champion, the trajectory has been such that even a runner-up finish at Jumeirah Golf Estates did not grate too much.

Given he pushed an already-stellar season all the way to the 72nd hole of the European Tour’s finale – McIlroy was in a tie for the lead at the last, but failed to sink the birdie to force a play-off – it marked a significant sign of improvement.

Usually, this level of performance would have contributed to a "bad week", McIlroy said, which typically logged a modest finish or even a missed cut. Now, "bad" constitutes narrowly missing out on the hardware.

“It’s a really big positive,” he said after a final-day 68. “I’m really pleased this year about the consistency I’ve shown.

“I haven’t finished outside the top 25, so there is a lot of good stuff going into next year. It’s really exciting.”

Exciting pretty much sums up his season. McIlroy concludes 2014 as golf’s undisputed top dog, despite having to handle the fallout of high-profile break-ups in his professional and private life. The learning curve has been steep.

“I learnt a lot from it and feel like I came through this year stronger and wiser,” he said. “I can go into 2015 in a much better place.”

Comfortable in his self and his swing, he also relishes his position at the summit of the game. He even welcomes the accompanying scrutiny and the criticism.

“I used to be uncomfortable,” McIlroy said. “But I’ve learnt to deal with it. It’s just part of the title now, world No 1; that’s what it comes with.

“Look, I’ve spent more than a year of my career at world No 1, so if I’m not used to it by now, then there’s something wrong.

“It’s where I want to be. I want to be the best player in the world and I want to keep it for as long as I possibly can.”

jmcauley@thenational.ae

Rory McIlroy misses out but is happy going into 2015 in ‘a better place’

Comfortable in his self and his swing, the Race to Dubai winner also relishes his position at the summit of the game. He even welcomes the accompanying scrutiny and the criticism.