Rory McIlroy sends message to wife Erica and caddie Harry Diamond after Dubai clean up

Rory McIlroy was reduced to tears as he reflected on capping his season in style at the DP World Tour Championship, and he then paid tribute to his wife Erica, daughter Poppy and caddie Harry Diamond during an emotional victory speech. 

McIlroy, 35, won the DP World Tour Championship for the third time in his career on Sunday and he also collected the season-long Race to Dubai for a third consecutive and sixth time in his career.

The latter sees McIlroy match the feat of late European great Seve Ballesteros for six Harry Vardon trophies. 

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McIlroy closed with a 3-under 69 to finish the week on 15-under par and two shots clear of Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard.

The Northern Irishman collected a whopping $5m for his efforts on Sunday.

He won $3m for winning the DP World Tour Championship and a bonus $2m for taking the Race to Dubai.

McIlroy was visibly emotional as he walked off the 18th green to talk to Sky Sports Golf's Tim Barter. 

"It means a lot," said McIlroy with tears in his eyes. 

"I've been through a lot this year, professionally, personally, it feels like the fitting end to 2024.

"I've perservered a lot, had close calls, wasn't able to get it done, so to be able to get over the line means a lot."

On matching Ballesteros' haul of six Harry Vardon trophies on the European Tour, an emotional McIlroy said: "It's really cool... I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and Ryder Cup players, European Ryder Cup locker room we have quotes of Seve, we had shirts of Seve from '95 in the last Ryder Cup he played.

"Seve just means so much to European golf and for me to be mentioned in the same breath I am very proud."

Scroll down for McIlroy's message to wife Erica, daughter Poppy and caddie Harry...

To say McIlroy has gone through a lot in 2024 is an understatement. 

McIlroy won four times during the season, with two victories apiece on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

But he fell short in the majors for a 10th consecutive season, with his most agonising moment losing to Bryson DeChambeau by one shot at the US Open when missing two short putts on the closing holes. 

McIlroy also announced he was getting divorced to wife Erica not long after The Masters in April. 

During that time, speculation mounted on social media that McIlroy had been building a romance with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis.

But McIlroy rubbished such talk. 

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Several weeks later, McIlroy confirmed he had made amends with Erica and they were calling off the divorce.

Fast forward some six months, and McIlroy looks happier than ever with family life. 

After speaking to Sky's Barter on the 18th green, McIlroy walked straight over to his daughter Poppy and wife Erica for hugs and kisses. 

McIlroy then paid tribute to Erica and Poppy during his victory speech on the 18th green at Jumeirah Golf Estates. 

He thanked them for standing by him. 

"I have my family here with me this week, Erica, Poppy, I love you," said an emotional McIlroy.

"Thanks for sticking by me and thanks for your support.

"I can't wait to go back to Ireland now and celebrate this properly."

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McIlroy then later posed in front of his trophies on the 18th green with Erica and Poppy.

Check out the photo here:

McIlroy also piled the praise on his caddie Harry Diamond, and told golf fans out there to back off in their criticism of him. 

"I want to give a shout out to Harry, he's been with me every step of the way for the last seven years now," said McIlroy.

"He gets his fair share of stick and it's not warranted. 

"Harry is an amazing caddie and the best friend I could ever ask for, thanks mate."

McIlroy has yet to win a major with Diamond on his bag.

He won all four his career majors to date with JP Fitzgerald on his bag. 

McIlroy's last major win came at the 2014 US PGA Championship. 

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