DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy ended a tumultuous year packed with emotion on and off the golf course with a pair of trophies and plenty of tears.
McIlroy broke a tie with Rasmus Hojgaard by hitting wedge to a foot for birdie on the 16th hole, and he closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory Sunday in the World Tour Championship. He also captured his sixth title as Europe's No. 1 player.
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Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark, left, and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk towards 17th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark plays a shot on the 18th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland stands next Race to Dubai trophy during the award ceremony after winning the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with his wife, Erica Stoll and Daughter, Poppy McIlroy alongside the trophies after winning the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the DP World Tour Championship trophy and the Race to Dubai trophy after winning the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 9th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after winning the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the crowd after scoring a birdie on the 9th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, left, and Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark walk to take their second shot on 4th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 8th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
And then the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland couldn't speak, choked up with emotion as he contemplated the wins and losses, and everything else in between.
“I’ve been through a lot this year, professionally and personally,” McIlroy said. “It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I’ve persevered this year a lot.”
He won four times — two of them on the PGA Tour, one of those with close friend Shane Lowry in a team event — and tied the late Seve Ballesteros with his sixth title in the Race to Dubai, formerly the Order of Merit. Two more and he can match Colin Montgomerie for the record.
“I’ve really made it a priority of my schedule over the last few years to give myself the best chance coming into the end of the year to win the Race to Dubai. I don’t see that being any different for the foreseeable future,” McIlroy said. “Going for my seventh next year and try to chase Monty down.”
He also threw away a chance at the U.S. Open by missing two short putts over the last three holes at Pinehurst No. 2, finishing one behind Bryson DeChambeau. He was on the verge of finally winning on home soil until Hojgaard stunned him with a late charge in the Irish Open at Royal Country Down.
McIlroy revealed in May that he had filed for divorce, and equally stunning was word a month later that the divorce proceedings had been scrapped and they would try to work it out. His wife, Erica, and 4-year-old daughter Poppy were in Dubai cheering his latest victory.
It was a lot for McIlroy, and the emotions when it was over bore that out.
“To finish the year like this, it's a dream come true,” McIlroy said at the closing ceremony, where he hoisted the enormous World Tour Championship trophy and the Harry Vardon Trophy for winning the season points title.
“It's been hard at times,” he said. “Had a lot of close calls. To finish the year off the way I did today means the world to me.”
McIlroy ran off four straight birdies from the second hole to build a three-shot lead over the Dane, whose twin brother Nicolai won the tournament last year. Hojgaard pecked away with a birdie on the seventh, and McIlroy dropping shots on the ninth and 13th holes.
McIlroy seized control with his wedge to the 16th, which dropped from the blue sky to a foot in front of the hole. Hojgaard failed to match that birdie and never caught up. He closed with a 71, making nothing but par over the last 11 holes.
McIlroy, who finished on 15-under 273, won $5 million — $3 million from the tournament prize fund, and a $2 million bonus for the Race to Dubai.
Antoine Rozner of France, who started the final round tied for the lead with McIlroy and Hojgaard, led by two after a birdie on the opening hole. His round fell apart with a three-putt double bogey on the ninth hole. He shot 73 and tied for third with Adam Scott and Shane Lowry, each with 68.
Rozner was among 10 players who earned PGA Tour cards for 2025, a group led by Hojgaard, who finished second in the Race to Dubai. He will be joining his twin brother on the U.S. tour.
The final spot went to Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland, who boldly cleared the water on the 18th to set up a two-putt birdie. That was just enough to beat out Jordan Smith for the 10th and final PGA Tour card.
McIlroy won for the 37th time worldwide as he bids to take his place among European greats. The mention of Ballesteros made him emotional for all the Spaniard has meant to the development of the European tour.
“I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup players. (In the) European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes of Seve. We had a changing room with Seve’s shirt from ’95, the last Ryder Cup he played,” McIlroy said as he wiped away more tears.
“And for me to be mentioned in the same breath, I’m very proud.”
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark, left, and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk towards 17th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark plays a shot on the 18th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland stands next Race to Dubai trophy during the award ceremony after winning the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with his wife, Erica Stoll and Daughter, Poppy McIlroy alongside the trophies after winning the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the DP World Tour Championship trophy and the Race to Dubai trophy after winning the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 9th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after winning the World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the crowd after scoring a birdie on the 9th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, left, and Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark walk to take their second shot on 4th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland lines up a putt on the 8th green in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
BEIRUT (AP) — A rare Israeli airstrike on central Beirut killed Hezbollah's chief spokesman on Sunday, an official with the militant group said. Earlier, officials said Israeli strikes killed at least 12 people in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been at war with the Palestinian Hamas for over a year.
The latest in targeted killings of senior Hezbollah officials came as Lebanese officials considered a United States-led cease-fire proposal. Israel also bombed several buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has long been headquartered, after warning people to evacuate.
Mohammed Afif, the head of media relations for Hezbollah, was killed in a strike on the Arab socialist Baath party's office in central Beirut, according to a Hezbollah official who was not authorized to brief reporters and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Afif had been especially visible after all-out war erupted between Israel and Hezbollah in September and the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Last month, Afif hastily wrapped up a press conference in Beirut ahead of Israeli strikes.
There was no Israeli evacuation warning before the strike in central Beirut. An Associated Press photographer at the scene saw four bodies and four wounded people, but there was no official word on the toll. People could be seen fleeing. There was no comment from the Israeli military.
“I was asleep and awoke from the sound of the strike, and people screaming, and cars and gunfire," said Suheil Halabi, a witness. "I was startled, honestly. This is the first time I experience it so close.”
The last Israeli strike in central Beirut was on Oct. 10, when 22 people were killed in two locations.
Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel the day after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack ignited the war in Gaza. Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes in Lebanon and the conflict steadily escalated, erupting into war in September. Israeli forces invaded Lebanon on Oct. 1.
Hezbollah has continued to fire dozens of projectiles into Israel daily and has expanded their range to central Israel. The attacks have killed at least 76 people, including 31 soldiers, and caused some 60,000 people to flee in the north. A rocket barrage on the northern city of Haifa on Saturday damaged a synagogue and wounded two civilians.
More than 3,400 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the country’s Health Ministry, and over 1.2 million driven from their homes. It is not known how many of the dead are Hezbollah fighters.
Lebanon's army, largely on the sidelines, said an Israeli strike on Sunday hit a military center in southeastern Al-Mari, killing a soldier and wounding three others. There was no immediate Israeli comment.
Israeli strikes killed six people in Nuseirat and four in Bureij, two built-up refugee camps in central Gaza dating back to the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation.
Two people were killed in a strike on Gaza’s main north-south highway, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah, which received all 12 bodies.
The war between Israel and Hamas began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7. last year, killing about 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting around 250 others. Around 100 hostages remain in Gaza, about a third believed to be dead.
The Health Ministry in Gaza says around 43,800 Palestinians have been killed in the war. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but has said women and children make up more than half the fatalities.
Around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced, and large areas of the territory have been flattened by Israeli bombardment and ground operations.
Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel’s attacks in Gaza constitute genocide, according to excerpts released Sunday from an upcoming book.
Israeli police arrested three suspects after two flares were fired overnight at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in the coastal city of Caesarea.
Netanyahu and his family were not there, authorities said. A drone launched by Hezbollah struck the residence last month, also when Netanyahu and his family were away.
The police did not provide details about the suspects, but officials pointed to domestic political critics of Netanyahu. Israel’s largely ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, warned against “an escalation of the violence in the public sphere.”
Netanyahu has faced months of mass protests. Critics blame him for the security and intelligence failures that allowed the Oct. 7 attack to happen and for not reaching a deal with Hamas to release hostages.
Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin seized on the flare attack to call for a revival of his plans to overhaul the judiciary, which had sparked months of mass protests before the war.
“The time has come to provide full support for the restoration of the justice system and the law enforcement systems, and to put an end to anarchy, rampage, refusal and attempts to harm the prime minister,” he said in a statement.
Supporters said the judiciary changes aim to strengthen democracy by circumscribing the authority of unelected judges and turning over more powers to elected officials. Opponents see the overhaul as a power grab by Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges and for an assault on a key watchdog.
Many Israelis believe the internal divisions caused by the attempted overhaul had weakened the country ahead of the Hamas assault.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said on X that he strongly condemns the firing of flares while blasting Levin’s proposal.
“We will not let him turn Israel into an undemocratic state," Lapid wrote.
Melzer reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press reporters Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed.
Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Smoke rises between buildings hit in a Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Rescuers evacuate a wounded man from the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit a building in central Beirut's Ras el-Nabaa neighborhood, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024.(AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Rescuers evacuate a wounded woman from the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit a building in central Beirut's Ras el-Nabaa neighborhood, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Residents and rescuers gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit a building in central Beirut's Ras el-Nabaa neighborhood, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
A Palestinian kid sorts through trash at a landfill in Zawaida, Gaza Strip, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
FILE - Hezbollah's chief spokesman Mohammed Afif speaks during a press conference in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla, File)
Residents and rescuers gather near a damaged building at the site of an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut's Ras el-Nabaa neighborhood, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from buildings hit in Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Israeli security forces check a house hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon on Saturday, in Haifa, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli security forces check a house hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon on Saturday, in Haifa, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
A destroyed building hit by a missile fired from Lebanon on Saturday, in Haifa, northern Israel, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
A destroyed building hit by a missile fired from Lebanon on Saturday, in Haifa, northern Israel, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli security forces check a house hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon on Saturday, in Haifa, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
A destroyed car that was hit by a missile fired from Lebanon on Saturday, in Haifa, northern Israel, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
A civil defense worker checks a building that collapsed after it was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Hadath, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Residents of a building damaged in an Israeli airstrike return to collect their belongings in Hadath, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
A civil defense worker and civilians check a building that collapsed after it was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Hadath, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Civil defense workers check the site of a building that collapsed after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Hadath, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Civil defense workers check a building that collapsed after it was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Chiyah, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Residents run as smoke rises from a building that collapsed after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Chiyah, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Smoke rises from a building collapsing after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Chiyah, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Smoke rises from a building collapsing after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Chiyah, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
A woman mourns over the bodies of victims from an Israeli airstrike outside a hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Sunday Nov. 17, 2024. Palestinian medical officials reported Sunday that Israeli strikes overnight killed 12 people in Central Gaza. One child and five women were counted among them.(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Men pray over the bodies of victims from an Israeli airstrike outside a hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Sunday Nov. 17, 2024. Palestinian medical officials reported Sunday that Israeli strikes overnight killed 12 people in Central Gaza. One child and five women were counted among them.(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A man carries a dead child, one of the victims from an Israeli airstrike, outside a hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Sunday Nov. 17, 2024. Palestinian medical officials reported Sunday that Israeli strikes overnight killed 12 people in Central Gaza. One child and five women were counted among them.(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A civil defense worker checks a building that collapsed after it was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Hadath, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Smoke rises from a building that collapsed following an Israeli airstrike in Chiyah, south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
A woman mourns over the bodies of victims from an Israeli airstrike outside a hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Sunday Nov. 17, 2024. Palestinian medical officials reported Sunday that Israeli strikes overnight killed 12 people in Central Gaza. One child and five women were counted among them.(AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Journalists film as smoke rises from a building hit in Israeli airstrikes in Tyre, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Smoke rises from a building hit in an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in the southern village of Chamaa, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Smokes rise from buildings hit in Israeli airstrikes in Tyre, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Smoke rises from a building hit in an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
A woman shouts slogans during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
People shout slogans during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
People gather to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
People shout slogans during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
People shout slogans during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
People shout slogans during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A woman shouts slogans during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
