Rory McIlroy can reflect positively on his achievements this season, but he will also have candid regrets at what might have been after US Open implosion, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

As another season moves toward its conclusion this week, Rory McIlroy yesterday adopted the familiar position of balancing some level of satisfaction with sincere regrets for what might have been.

By his calculations here in Dubai, where he will begin his challenge for the DP World Tour Championship on Thursday, the 17th campaign of his professional career would be graded “probably a B.”

That includes his three wins and the clear chance of landing a sixth-order title of merit this weekend, tying Seve Ballesteros in the all-time standings, and yet the world No. 3 remains haunted by thoughts of his implosion. at the US Open in the summer.

One can reasonably assume that nightmares of those two missed putts at Pinehurst will consume him until his 10-year wait for a fifth major is finally over. But there is valuable perspective in recognizing that only Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau signed for a more productive 2024 on the field.

McIlroy, for his part, has remained in the common position of hoping his self-appointed “almost man” is eliminated via a major league breakthrough in a new year.

As the 17th professional season of his career comes to a close, McIlroy will have some level of satisfaction with what he accomplished, along with sincere regrets for what could have been.

McIlroy’s late-hole nightmare at US Open likely still eating away at him

When asked about his season, he said: “Yeah, incredibly consistent again.” But at the same time, you know, I’m thinking about the ones who got away.

“I could be sitting here with a fifth major title and I’m not. So that hurts and it’s something I have to come to terms with but at the same time I have a lot more opportunities in the future.

“I’m trying to focus on the positives this year, consistent performance at the highest level – I still have three wins and I have the chance to get a fourth here this week, to win another Race to Dubai title.”

‘Did I achieve all the goals I set for myself this year? Probably not. But I still consider it a successful season. You have two guys at the top of the world rankings (Scheffler and Schauffele) winning majors. They certainly separated themselves from the pack this year.

“I’m obviously very aware of that and that only motivates me more to try to emulate what they did this year.” For my year (as a degree) it would be a pass. It wouldn’t be a blast to play colors. Probably a B.’

A brilliant finish in Dubai wouldn’t do any harm, if only to end a streak that has seen him regain two second-place finishes and a third in his last four starts since the end of the PGA Tour season.

A prize seems likely on this trip, with his lead in the order of merit so wide that he is guaranteed to equal Ballesteros’ haul if Thriston Lawrence fails to win the tournament here. Even if the South African makes it, a top 11 finish for McIlroy, 35, would secure him the Harry Vardon Trophy for the sixth time and third in a row.

McIlroy, who has long targeted Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight, said: “My goal this week is to win both titles, not have anyone with me on the 18th green.”

McIlroy insisted he was trying to focus on the positives and highlighted his consistency.

The Northern Irishman admitted that he did not achieve all his goals this year.

However, McIlroy’s lead in the order of merit is so wide that he is almost certain to at least equal the six-point mark of the legendary Seve Ballesteros (pictured).

“Seve is to European golf what Arnold Palmer was to American golf, and I think that’s what a lot of people gravitated toward.”

“For me he was not a mythical character, he was just a little ahead of my time. But he was my father’s favorite player and the immense impact he had on European golf means a lot for the game in general. Being at his level and “To have a career that can compare to his is great.”