Collin Montgomerie has committed to presenting Rory McIlroy with a ninth Harry Vardon Trophy should the Masters champion beat his record haul of eight Race to Dubai titles.
McIlroy clinched his seventh Race to Dubai title earlier this month and fourth in a row taking him to within one of Montgomerie’s total and he looks a heavy favourite to eclipse the Scot’s long standing achievement.
Montgomerie, who gave McIlroy his Ryder Cup debut for Europe in 2010, won his last European order of merit in 2005 having previously won seven in a row between 1993 and 1999 when the tour was in its pomp.
“It was my honour to captain him as a rookie in the Ryder Cup in 2010 (at Celtic Manor) and from then on I have followed his career very closely,” said Montgomerie on a media call ahead of the Skechers World Champions Cup supporting Shriners Children’s.
“What talent he has and I am sure in years to come he will not just tie my record next year but possibly break it in the years to come. If there was one to break that record, I would rather it be him.
“There’s very little left for him after winning all the majors (completing the career grand slam with his Masters success in April) and having won the Ryder Cup away twice, as he has in 2012 and 2025. There’s one record left and that is that eight or nine Orders of Merit and I am sure that if he keeps fit and well, he will attain it and I will make sure I am in Dubai and hand over that ninth trophy to him on the green.”
McIlroy was visibly emotional in Dubai when he won his seventh season-long crown which took him one clear of the late great Seve Ballesteros.
“It [overtaking Ballesteros] is amazing,” McIlroy said earlier this month. “I had a conversation with Carmen [Ballesteros’ ex-wife] before I went out to play today and she told me how proud he would have been.
“He means so much to this Tour and the European Ryder Cup team. We rally so much around his spirit and around his quotes and everything he meant for European golf. To equal him last year was cool, but to surpass him this year, I didn’t get this far in my dreams, so it’s very cool.”
“I want it (record number of Order of Merits), of course I do. I caught up with Monty [Colin Montgomerie] this week when he was here a couple days ago. It seems within touching distance now.
“I’d love to be the winningest European in terms of Order of Merits and season-long races. I’ve probably got a few more good years left in me, and hopefully I can catch him and surpass him.”
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