The DP World Tour made public on Tuesday the establishment of the new Rory McIlroy recognition, which bears the name of the initial grand slam victor originating from Europe. The accolade is scheduled to be presented commencing with the 2026 season and will be bestowed upon the DP World Tour participant exhibiting the most distinguished performance across the four major tournaments.
Contestants will vie for superiority through Race to Dubai points, with the individual accumulating the highest aggregate score between the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open ultimately securing the honor.
“To have something named in honor of you, destined to be presented to upcoming player generations, is an immense privilege and evokes profound humility,” McIlroy expressed. “It undeniably holds significant personal resonance, as the DP World Tour served as the launching pad for my professional journey. I’ve invariably relished participating in it and, naturally, representing Europe and the Tour in the Ryder Cup.”
With his triumph at the Masters, McIlroy ascended to become the sixth golfer in the chronicles of men’s professional golfing to seize all four major championships, thereby aligning with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. The individual from Northern Ireland entered esteemed company when he donned his green jacket at Augusta National, and attains analogous distinction through the inception of this award.
McIlroy is distinguished as the fifth figure associated with the DP World Tour to possess an award or trophy named after him, joining Seve Ballesteros (Player of the Year), Harry Vardon (Race to Dubai trophy), Sir Henry Cotton (Rookie of the Year), and John Jacobs (Legends Tour Order of Merit).
“I take extraordinary pride in being recognized as the inaugural European to accomplish the career grand slam,” McIlroy stated. “The majors embody the apex of our athletic discipline, and it is my aspiration that my accomplishments may motivate fellow DP World Tour constituents to pursue and realize their individual ambitions in the times ahead. I keenly anticipate witnessing the selection of the first recipient of this fresh honor in 2026, an occasion poised to represent yet another profoundly gratifying moment for me as I present the trophy.”
Although McIlroy retains substantial potential for stellar golfing and conceivably forthcoming major championship accolades, the 36-year-old will not qualify to vie for the prize himself.
