Rory McIlroy was runner-up in two of the first three Races to Dubai, but is now the champion.

Story highlights

Rory McIlroy completes European Tour/PGA Tour money list double on Sunday

World No. 1 finishes third at the Singapore Open to emulate Luke Donald's 2011 feat

Louis Oosthuizen could have delayed his title win but lost in a playoff to Matteo Manassero

McIlroy will defend his Hong Kong title next week before the season finale in Dubai

CNN  — 

Since its inception in 2009, the Race To Dubai has provided European golf with a thrilling battle for big bucks that has gone to the final day of the season.

But not this year. Such has been Rory McIlroy’s dominance in 2012 that the world No. 1 has sealed a notable money list double with two tournaments still to play.

The 23-year-old can defend his Hong Kong Open title next week and then go to Dubai for the $8 million World Tour Championship without the pressure of the last three years, when he was twice the European Tour’s No. 2.

“It has been one of my main goals to become number one in Europe ever since securing my card five years ago, so to end the year as the number one on both the European and U.S. PGA Tours is absolutely amazing,” McIlroy said after clinching the title with third place at the Singapore Open on Sunday.

He emulated Luke Donald’s efforts from last year, but the Englishman needed to play in extra Fall Series events to clinch the American crown on the final day of the season.

‘Wozilroy’ struggling in Singapore

McIlroy became the youngest player to win the European money list since Scotland’s Sandy Lyle did so at the age of 21 in 1979 and 22 the following year.

“I set myself a number of ambitious goals at the start of the year, and to have ticked so many of the boxes feels great,” said McIlroy, who displaced Donald at the top of the rankings and won his second major title at the PGA Championship after recovering from a mid-season slump.

“I’ve still got two events remaining this year, and the goal is still to try and win at least once more before the end of the season. Beyond that, I’m looking forward to a good break over the winter!

“Monty (Colin Montgomerie) won eight Orders of Merit in his prime, and I have only won one so far, so there is plenty of ground to make up. But to be able to go into 2013 as the number one on both tours is hugely satisfying.”

McIlroy won $8 million in PGA Tour events and has €3,696,597 ($4.7 million) from Europe’s almost worldwide swing – though both circuits have several co-sanctioned tournaments.

McIlroy’s closest European rival, Ryder Cup teammate Peter Hanson, chose not to play in Singapore and will not line up again until Dubai.

Louis Oosthuizen could have delayed McIlroy’s crowning for another week, but the South African lost in a playoff at Sentosa to Matteo Manassero.

The 19-year-old Italian eagled the third extra hole to deny 2010 British Open champion Oosthuizen his third title of 2012.

Manassero became the first teenager to win three European Tour titles, having been the youngest to win one in 2010.

McIlroy also eagled his last hole to surge up the leaderboard with a six-under-par 65 that left him three shots behind the top duo.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn was another shot back in fourth on nine under overall, while Australia’s Adam Scott and Italian Francesco Molinari tied for fifth.

The tournament, which is seeking a new sponsor following the withdrawal of Barclays, was plagued by bad weather but went the distance this year – in 2011 it was reduced to 54 holes.