An award has just been named after the man who has redefined European golf greatness. Rory McIlroy. Officials unveiled the Rory McIlroy award at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Earlier this year, McIlroy etched his name in history as Europe’s first-ever winner of the Career Grand Slam. And what can be a better time to honor the Northern Irish icon! 

Starting with the 2026 season, the award will crown the DP World Tour member who delivers the most dominant performance across the four Majors, which would be measured through Race to Dubai points. But right after this announcement came a comment from Tommy Fleetwood. And the ‘Fairway Jesus’ claimed that Rory himself is ineligible for the award!

Right after the show at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth Course for the DP World Tour Championships on November 11, Tommy Fleetwood was asked about the introduction of the Rory McIlroy Award in the presser. And the English golfer immediately pokes fun at the new award and laughingly stated, “Yeah, the Rory McIlroy Award that Rory can’t win — I like the sound of that. That sounds good.”

Fleetwood further shared that he feels that the Irish golfer truly deserves this recognition for all that he has done for the sport. Reflecting on their partnership and rivalry, he added, “For sure, I think sometimes as competitors, I don’t know, like we play against Rory week-in and week-out. Look, he’s my partner in the Ryder Cup, and I think when you’re playing against him all the time, you think about things that he’s achieved. But you’re also well aware of the history he’s created and where he will sit in the game when it’s all said and done, when he’s finished playing. An unbelievably special talent.”

Fleetwood shared how he believes that Rory McIlroy still has a lot to achieve on the course. He then said, “I think having an award that is named after Rory is something that I think he should be very proud about. And yeah, he deserves everything that he sort of gets in the game. I look forward to challenging for that hopefully next season.”

Alongside Fleetwood, Guy Kinnings acknowledged Rory’s impeccable achievements, adding, “What he’s done and what he’s achieved this year, becoming the first European to win the Grand Slam, is something pretty exceptional. We recognise we needed to recognise what he’s done and what he’s done for us, and we gave it lots of thought.”

While McIlroy was asked about how it feels for him to be honoured with such a stance, the 36-year-old stated, “It’s a big honour…I think for me to have an award is very seems pretty early, but it’s very cool.” McIlroy further added, “I think it’s a great idea to award the award to the best performing DP World Tour player in the four major championships, obviously to recognise what I have done in the majors. It’s a huge honour, and I can’t wait to be able to hand that award out next year.”

But will it indeed be possible for McIlroy to secure the award named after him?

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Can Rory McIlroy win the award himself?

Well, in simple words, no. He cannot win the award as it is named after him. Following his incredible win at the 2025 Masters Tournament, the Northern Ireland star finally earned his Green Jacket. That’s because, as he defeated his Ryder Cup buddy Justin Rose, McIlroy completed his Career Grand Slam. Apart from the Masters, McIlroy also won the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championships in 2012 and 2014, and The Open Championship in 2014. 

Surely, this was one of the proudest moments in McIlroy’s already bejewelled career. After all, the 36-year-old is now only the 6th golfer in history to have won all four men’s Majors. With the 2025 win, McIlroy now sits in the same elite bracket as Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Meanwhile, when asked about the brand new award unveiled in his name, the Northern Ireland star seemed pretty emotional. 

“To have something named after you, that will be presented to future generations of players, is a huge honour and it is very humbling,” said McIlroy. He also pointed out that since it was the DP World Tour from where he started his career, the award holds further significance for him. 

He further added, “It certainly means a lot to me because the DP World Tour was where I started my career. I’ve always loved playing on it and representing Europe in the Ryder Cup. I’m incredibly proud to be the first European to achieve the Career Grand Slam.” And the golfing icon is not stopping at that. He is currently chasing a Race to Dubai title for the seventh time to further elevate his status as the world’s best golfer in modern times.