The one glaring stain was yet another close call at a major championship, this time at Pinehurst No. 2 at the U.S. Open. McIlroy controlled the tournament on the back nine on Sunday but bogeyed three of his final four holes to allow Bryson DeChambeau to swoop in and win his second major title (2020 U.S. Open, Winged Foot).

Rory McIlroy is judged on major titles but the Race to Dubai still matters for his legacy - McIlroy can tie Seve Ballesteros with a sixth career Race to Dubai title at this week’s DP World Tour Champi