If you don’t live under a rock, you might already know that Rory McIlroy just won the 2024 Seve Ballesteros Award, which is a huge honor in the golf world. This comes right after he was voted the Player of the Year by his fellow DP World Tour members. Talk about it being special!

The Seve Ballesteros Award is not just a shiny trophy to display in your cabinet; it’s a badge of honor that golfers strive for. The prestigious award is named after the legendary golfer Seve Ballesteros, who was a three-time British Open winner and two-time Masters champion. Ballesteros died in 2011, but his legacy is still carried by this award, and every golfer who wins it knows its importance.

As McIlroy himself said, “The Seve Ballesteros Award is special because it’s voted on by my peers. They are the ones that have been out there on the course with you week-in, week-out, playing the same golf courses, competing,” and well, you can’t really argue with him on this. Now, you might be wondering if McIlroy got any prize money for winning this award well, sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is no, he didn’t win any prize money.

While the DP World Tour doesn’t seem to offer a cash prize for the Seve Ballesteros Award instead, the players are happy to know that the award signifies more of a symbolic recognition of their achievements. “I said to Javier (Ballesteros’ son), the legacy that his dad left on not just European golf but global golf will live on forever,” McIlroy said. The 35-year-old’s win is just another feather in his cap, which further proves that he’s one of the best golfers out there.

He topped the list with 46% of the votes from fellow DP World Tour members, which is a pretty impressive margin considering the heartbreaking season he has had. Rasmus Højgaard and Thriston Lawrence came in second and third place, respectively. You might be surprised to know that this is McIlroy’s fourth time winning the Player of the Year award as the player had previously won in 2012, 2014, and 2015.

While we wait for McIlroy to kickstart his 2025 season, here is what the DP World Tour Chief Executive thinks of his latest achievement.

What did the DP World Tour Chief Executive say about Rory McIlroy’s new feat?

The Chief Executive of the DP World Tour had some amazing words to say about Rory McIlroy’s latest achievement, and well, McIlroy deserves the praise. Guy Kinnings talked highly of McIlroy’s consistency and success and heartbreaks he had had in 2024 and said that it’s a “fitting tribute to the legacy of Seve Ballesteros.” Kinnings also pointed out that winning the Player of the Year award for a fourth time is a huge deal, especially since it’s voted on by McIlroy’s fellow golfers. But why’s that? Well, because it would mean there can’t be any unfairness, as it goes to show how well-respected the Northern Irish golfer really is among his peers.

Further, Kinnings added, “Rory’s remarkable consistency and success in 2024 is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Seve Ballesteros. To win this award for a fourth time, voted for by his fellow peers, is a reflection of the admiration and regard he holds across our sport.” He also pointed out McIlroy’s incredible performances last season, including his sixth Race to Dubai title and his wins around the world.

He noted that having Javier Ballesteros present the award in Dubai added a special touch as it brought out the spirit of Seve to the moment. It’s clear that Kinnings is a huge fan of McIlroy’s, and he’s not alone, McIlroy’s achievements have earned him a reputation as one of the greatest golfers of all time. So, are you a Rory McIlroy fan? Let us know in the comment section below!