'I have to take care of myself' – McIlroy to play reduced schedule in 2025

By Sports Desk November 13, 2024

Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will play a reduced schedule of 22 or 23 events in 2025, acknowledging he must take care of his body after a challenging year.

McIlroy endured a series of agonising near misses in 2024, most notably when losing to Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open in June, when he made three bogeys in his last four holes to relinquish the lead.

While the Northern Irishman has not won a major crown since 2014, he is closing in on a sixth Race to Dubai crown, holding a lead of 1,785 points over Thriston Lawrence ahead of this week's DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

As McIlroy prepares for his 18th season as a professional, he has revealed his intention to skip a series of events, mostly those staged in the United States. 

"If I can trim it down to 22 or 23, that will be good for me in the long run," McIlory said in an interview with BBC Sport.

"I have to remember I'm 35, I'm knocking on a little bit – I have the grey hairs to prove it.

"At 35, I've been on tour for 17 or 18 years, I'm not slowing down but I just have to take care of myself and my body a little bit more.

"I'm not going to miss these tournaments in the Middle East, I'm not going to miss Wentworth, the Irish Open or the Scottish Open.

"There were a few events I played in America this season that I don't typically play, and I think that's where I'm going to have to trim a little bit."

McIlroy has previously won the DP World Tour Championship on two occasions, beating Justin Rose by two strokes in 2012 and edging out Andy Sullivan in 2015.

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    McIlroy secured the title for the third year running following his victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday.

    The four-time major winner finished two shots clear of Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard to seal his third triumph in the event.

    "Everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players," an emotional McIlroy told Sky Sports.

    "The European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes from Seve. We had a changing room with Seve's shirt from [1995], the last Ryder Cup he played.

    "He means so much to European golf and for me to be mentioned in the same breath, I'm very proud."

    "I've been through a lot this year, professionally, personally, and it feels like the fitting end to 2024," added McIlroy, who narrowly lost out on the US Open title to Bryson DeChambeau.

    "I've persevered this year a lot, had close calls, wasn't able to get it done. I'm really pleased with the way I finished and, thankfully, I hung on after a tough day and got the job done."

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    McIlroy finished at 15 under par and two shots clear of Rasmus Hojgaard, who he partnered during the final round, to seal glory at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

    The four-time major winner claimed his record-equalling third triumph in this event, matching Jon Rahm.

    It is also his third successive Race to Dubai victory - and sixth overall to move level with Seve Ballesteros. 

    McIlroy was tied for the lead heading into the final day, and a run of four successive birdies gave him a three-shot advantage early on.

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    Nevertheless, McIlroy dug deep with a brilliant approach leading to a birdie on the 16th, which put him back in front. 

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    McIlroy shot a four-under 68 through his third round at Jumeirah Golf Estates to sit level with Antoine Rozner and Rasmus Hojgaard at 12-under for the week.

    The Northern Irishman has endured a mixed year, memorably missing two close-range putts to miss out on his first major crown in a decade at June's US Open.

    However, he could yet end it on a high as he is almost certain to claim the Race to Dubai title and is firmly in contention for a third triumph at the DP World Tour's season finale.

    "As I said at the start of the week, my goal tomorrow is to be on that 18th green with two trophies instead of one," he told Sky Sports at the conclusion of his third round.

    "I was with one of the Hojgaard brothers on the 18th last year and hopefully I'm not with the other one tomorrow!

    "If I was to do it tomorrow, I'd walk away from this year with four worldwide wins, which is still pretty good. 

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    Meanwhile, having carded six birdies in a seven-hole stretch to move into contention, Hojgaard is looking for more of the same on Sunday.

    "I obviously hit it very close on the front nine, which was a massive confidence boost," the Dane told Sky Sports. 

    "I was just trying to ride the wave, see how many birdies I could make and then obviously it got a little bit more quiet on the back nine.

    "I will approach tomorrow like I did today, try not to worry too much about what's ahead of me, try and play one hole at a time and get the best score possible."

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