Rory McIlroy declares ‘next 10, 15 years is my time’

Rory McIlroy is done messing around with his career. It’s all business from here.

After winning the DP World Tour Championship and the European Tour’s Race to Dubai for the third time in four years on Sunday, McIlroy, who has four worldwide wins in 2015, is looking to carry that winning momentum not only into next year but through the rest of the prime of his career.

That renewed focus means eschewing things like playing soccer, an activity which, in July, cost McIlroy a title defense at the British Open and a realistic chance at contending at the PGA Championship. In the wake of McIlroy’s injury and recovery, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day stepped up, both overtaking McIlroy in the Official World Golf Ranking.

“I had a big lead in the world rankings and you see Jordan and Jason play the way they did. Fields are so deep, you can’t let up at all,” McIlroy told the BBC after his victory.

“Tagging along with that, you know, this is my time to capitalize on my career. The next 10, 15 years is my time. I really can’t be doing silly things like playing football in the middle of the season to jeopardize even six months of my career. It’s a big chunk where I could make some hay and win a major or two.”

McIlroy should know. In 2014, he pulled the second-half double, winning a Claret Jug and a second Wanamaker Trophy. Heading into 2016, he is a green jacket away from the career Grand Slam.

And Spieth and Day are only two, albeit very talented, players in a time when golf’s list of champions is expanding and getting younger. Needless to say, McIlroy has no room for lollygagging.

McIlroy said, “I won’t be making those mistakes again next year.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow @RyanBallengee

Devil Ball Golf – Golf – Yahoo Sports