McIlroy sets sights on record held by Monty

Rory McIlroy has set a short-term goal of more major glory and a long-term objective of surpassing Colin Montgomerie’s record number of money list titles.

McIlroy’s chance of winning the Race to Dubai for the third year in succession was effectively ended when he withdrew from the Turkish Airlines Open due to security concerns.

The world number two was playing alongside Henrik Stenson on Sunday when the Swede carded a closing 65 – matched by McIlroy – in the DP World Tour Championship to succeed McIlroy as European number one.

Open Championship success at Royal Troon was a big factor in Stenson’s success, and McIlroy would love to add more majors to his collection next year and claim a fourth Race to Dubai title, halfway to equalling Montgomerie’s total.

“When you see someone do something you’ve done before and haven’t quite achieved this year, of course you want to do it again,” the four-time major winner said.

“Of course I want to win the Race again, I’ve got a few more years and it would be nice to pass Monty. That will be a nice little target to aim for, and hopefully I can get my fourth next year.”

McIlroy recorded two top-10 finishes and two missed cuts in this year’s majors, with the 27-year-old labelling his putting as “pathetic” after making an early exit from the US PGA Championship for the first time in his career.

After trying to find the solution on his own, McIlroy eventually conceded he was being “stubborn” and enlisted the help of putting expert Phil Kenyon.

He went on to win the Tour Championship and overall FedEx Cup title.

Meanwhile, Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes secured his maiden PGA Tour title after triumphing in a five-man play-off at the RSM Classic at Sea Island.

Overnight leader Hughes posted a fourth-round 69 to finish level with Blayne Barber, Billy Horschel, Henrik Norlander and Camilo Villegas on 17 under par in Georgia.

Two extra holes were played on Sunday before bad light forced the contest to be suspended until yesterday.

Hughes rolled in his par putt at the third play-off hole for victory.