There was a tournament going on, a big one at that. But for a few of the players in the 50-strong field at the DP World Tour Championship—the 44th and last event on the Old World circuit this season—there was a whole new level of pressure.

Rory McIlroy is tied for the lead with Rasmus Hojgaard and Antoine Rozner heading into the final round of the season-ending World Tour Championship as the Northern Irishman closed in on a sixth Race to Dubai title.

What particularly attracted the golfer's attention were McIlroy's statements at the end of the tournament, since the Northern Irishman said at one point: "Nice to get past Nick as well."