How the 2023 Rolex Series has played out so far on the DP World Tour

Rory McIlroy may have begun the year without a Rolex Series title but by the end of the Genesis Scottish Open he was the dominant force in the DP World Tour’s prestige events so far this season.

For the second time in succession, following on from the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January, the four-time Major champion had made back-to-back birdies to clinch a dramatic victory.

Trailing clubhouse leader Robert MacIntyre by one stroke with two holes to play, the Northern Irishman produced his best under pressure to break home hearts at The Renaissance Club.

Laser-like approaches into the par-three 17th and par-four 18th, the latter a two iron that shot through the wind, left the watching crowds in awe of his talent.

It set up just the third birdie of the day on the closing hole, which comfortably proved to be the hardest hole on the course all week.

Victory strengthened McIlroy’s position as the leader on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex as he looks to claim the Harry Vardon trophy for a fifth time.

It was cruel on MacIntyre, who had defied high winds to make the second birdie of the final round at the 18th as he carded a stunning six-under-par 64 to set the target at 14 under.

He appeared to be on the cusp of becoming the first Scotsman to win the event since Colin Montgomerie in 1999, before four-time Major winner McIlroy produced his impressive tournament-winning finish.

It was McIlroy’s first win in Scotland too, and it seems certain to be a triumph that will live long in his memory.

"This is right up there with the best of them,” the World Number Two said.

“To finish 2, 3 in these conditions, the two iron shots that I hit, the five iron into 17 and the two iron into the last are probably two of the best shots I've hit all year, and then to finish them off with the putts as well.”

By comparison, an emotional MacIntyre was left to focus on the positives from his brilliant performance and take solace in the knowledge he will have plenty more chances at his national Open.

“I’ll never forget it,” MacIntyre said. “That’s why I play this sport.

“If not The Open, the Scottish Open will be up there with the event I want to play for the rest of my life.

“It’s the one I’ve dreamed of winning since I watched at home, and I thought today coming down once I birdied 18, I thought this might be the one. But it’s not to be just now, and I’ve got plenty of years ahead.

“I wasn’t even within touching distance of the trophy, and I went out there and put on a performance. Rory McIlroy’s potentially the best in the world, and he showed why today. Take my hat off to him.”

Earlier on in the season, McIlroy had again come up with the goods to win his first Rolex Series title with a third victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.

After a weather-affected start to the tournament, the final round was pushed into a Monday finish over the Majlis Course – the venue for McIlroy’s first ever DP World Tour victory.

Holding a three-shot lead at the start of the final day, McIlroy went toe-to-toe with Patrick Reed over the back nine, with the American at one point edging ahead with a birdie at the par-five 13th.

But 2009 and 2015 champion McIlroy regained command of proceedings when he birdied the 17th to lead by one, only for Reed to make a two-putt birdie at the last to set up a dramatic finale.

McIlroy almost found water off the tee at the last, but after laying up produced an excellent wedge and converted a 14-footer for birdie to seal a hard-fought victory.

"It was a battle all day. Honestly it's been a battle all week,” he said in the immediate aftermath of his triumph.

“I really feel like I haven't had my best all week but I just managed my game so well and played really smart.”

A week earlier, Victor Perez had joined the list of players to have tasted success on the Rolex Series at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

In another thrilling finish, the Frenchman made a spectacular hole-out from a greenside bunker at the 17th to take a two-shot lead to the 18th at Yas Links Abu Dhabi.

But, despite running into trouble, Perez managed to salvage a bogey which proved enough to secure a one-shot win as Min Woo Lee came agonisingly close to a chip-in eagle which would have forced a play-off.

Speaking about his phenomenal bunker shot at the 17th, Perez said: “It came up maybe a little skinny, I'm not going to lie, and spun back and the fortune of the ball going in which is probably the greatest shot I've ever hit."

With the BMW PGA Championship and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship still to come, it is safe to presume there will be plenty more excitement and drama to come from the final two Rolex Series events of the year.