World Number Two McIlroy has enjoyed a remarkable year, achieving the career Grand Slam with a memorable Masters win, tasting victory at the Amgen Irish Open and playing a key role in Europe's historic away Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black.
He produced late fireworks in the final round of the DP World Tour Championship, carding an eagle from 16 feet at the 18th to force a play-off and give himself the chance to secure a dramatic Dubai double.
But although the Northern Irishman was beaten by Matt Fitzpatrick at the first extra hole, his second-place finish comfortably earned him a fourth successive Harry Vardon Trophy.
That moves him above Seve Ballesteros' tally of six wins and to within one of Montgomerie's eight.
McIlroy is hoping he has more wins ahead of him as he aims to climb to the top of the list.
He said: "It seems within touching distance now. I was the first European to win the Grand Slam and I'd love to be the most successful European in terms of winning Order of Merits and season-long races.
"I've hopefully got a few more good years left in me, and hopefully I can catch (Montgomerie) and surpass him."
McIlroy felt it was special to overtake European great Ballesteros, saying: "It's amazing. I had a conversation with his wife, Carmen, before I went out to play today and she told me how proud he would have been.
"I said this on this green last year, he means so much to this Tour and to the European Ryder Cup Team. We rally so much around his spirit and his quotes and everything he meant for European golf.
"To equal him last year was cool but to surpass him this year, yeah, I didn't get this far in my dreams, so it's very cool."
McIlroy added: "He was always my dad's favourite player.
"He's a beacon of what European golf stands for and I just think about growing up and playing golf and my dad being such a big part of it, and then his sort of connection with Seve - Seve was the one that really inspired him to play golf. And then, I don't know, it's just a parallel to that.
"When I hear Seve, it just sort of brings me back through my whole journey in the game, and yeah, it's quite emotional."
Jacob Bridgeman survived a late scare from Rory McIlroy to secure his first PGA Tour title, edging out the Northern Irishman by a single shot at The Genesis Invitational.
Rory McIlroy followed up his opening 66 with an even better 65 to sit just one shot off the lead held by Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman at the halfway mark of the Genesis Invitational.
Rory McIlroy mastered the brutal conditions to post a five-under 66 and claim a share of the clubhouse lead at the weather-affected Genesis Invitational.
Rory McIlroy believes his game is in a good spot as he turns his focus to the Genesis Invitational, despite admitting that some "sloppy stuff" undermined his defence of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
