Rory McIlroy fights back tears in emotional interview about dad's health after Race to Dubai win

Rory McIlroy couldn't hold back the tears when speaking about his father's health battle ahead claiming the Race to Dubai title.

Following a dramatic end to the DP World Tour Championshipi, McIlroy claimed a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, matching Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record.

It marks the fifth consecutive year that the Northern Irishman has won the season-long Harry Vardon Trophy, but he has revealed that this year is particularly special as his dad is facing an ongoing health issue that left McIlroy fighting back the tears.

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Tearful Rory McIlroy opens up about dad's health issues after Race to Dubai win

Throughout McIlory's career, both his parents, Gerry McIlroy and Rosie McIlroy, have played a key role supporting him ever since when he was a child learning to play in Holywood, Northern Irelad.

When he won the Masters for the second time earlier this year, he delivered an emotional tribute to the pair claming he owed all of his success to them and their sacrifices.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that McIlroy was again emotional when dedicating his win in Dubai to his dad after revealing that he recently underwent a big operation for some health issues.

When asked how much his father was in his thoughts after he won the Race to Dubai title, McIlroy replied: “A lot.

“Yeah, a lot. He’s been in the hospital for the last two months, underwent a huge operation at the end of September and he's recovering well thankfully.

“When I left to come to here to the Middle East, I went up to Cleveland to see him before I went and he said to me ‘go win the Race to Dubai’.”

And that's exactly what McIlroy did as he shot a final round score of 67 to finish solo second and clinch the title on the final deay of the season, while Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton won the $10million tournament.

The incredible story of Rory McIlroy's father winning £50,000 for stunning bet on his son

Ever since McIlroy was just a boy in Northern Ireland, Gerry clearly has been confident that his son would make it to the very top.

As well as once worked up to three jobs at once to help fund his son's golfing ambitions, Gerry, and Rosie, both helped drive Rory's love for golf and played a key role in turning him into the player he is today.

But perhaps the best story representing just how much Gerry believed in his son is the incredible bet he placed in 2004 when his son was just 15 years old.

Clearly eager to prove Rory had what it takes, Gerry staked £200 at odds of 500-1 that his son would win the Open Championship within the next 10 years, including 2014.

And although he let it go right to the wire, Rory repayed his dad's confidence as he claimed the Claret Jug in July 2014 by two shots from Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler.

Gerry won £50,000 from the bet, which he then split with a friend who provided half the stake.