Colin Montgomerie thanks Rory McIlroy for highlighting his remarkable achievement

Colin Montgomerie has thanked Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman claimed the Scot's achievement in winning eight order of merit titles on the European Tour "doesn't get talked about enough". 

Montgomerie won the Race to Dubai seven times in a row from 1993 to 1999 and then won it again in 2005. 

The dominant run established the golfer, affectionately known as 'Monty', as one of Europe's most consistent and successful players. 

His achievement was all the more remarkable given that in his pomp his main rivals were Sir Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Sandy Lyle, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and the late, great Seve Ballesteros. 

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"I think it's amazing to have that sustained excellence for that long," McIlroy told reporters ahead of this week's DP World Tour Championship. 

The grand slam winner, 36, will have the opportunity to win his seventh order of merit title overall and fourth in a row.

"There's a lot of people that can have a good year or a two-year run," McIlroy added. 

"But to sustain that for seven years straight, it probably doesn't get talked about enough, especially in that golden age of European golf where he's going up against Faldo and Lyle and Langer and Woosie. 

"[I am] not saying that this isn't a pretty good generation, too, but he had to fend off some really tough competition."

Montgomerie saw McIlroy's comments on Instagram and replied: "Thank you Rory." 

McIlroy can only be caught by emerging talent Marco Penge or his Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton this week. 

He cannot be caught if he finishes in the top two. 

European stars need to step up

McIlroy, who has also had an award named after him, told reporters on Tuesday that he is the happiest he has been in a while. 

He is no longer as involved in the off-course politics involving the direction of the PGA Tour amid the threat of the LIV Golf League. 

And he believes that has translated to his performances on the course. 

He made it clear his desire has not waned but acknowledged he is not chasing anything anymore and is content with his standing in the game. 

Going forward, McIlroy said he wants to compete on the DP World Tour as much as he can.

He also called for Europe's biggest stars to also step up. 

"There's a wonderful heritage to this tour," the Northern Irishman said.

"I think with the fractured nature of the men's professional game at the minute, this tour needs all of its stars to step up and play in the big events.

"I understand that I am one of those people and I want to do my utmost to help in whatever way that I can. I feel quite a responsibility to do that.

"And to try to make this tour as strong as it can possibly be."

Several of McIlroy's Ryder Cup teammates are in action this week. 

Nine members of the victorious team are in action at the $10m finale. 

LIV Golf's Jon Rahm, Austria's Sepp Straka and Norway's Viktor Hovland are the only players not involved. 

Hovland withdrew with a neck injury and Straka has been given dispensation by the Tour to stay at home after the premature birth of his second son. 

Rahm revealed in October he wouldn't be playing again until LIV's 2026 begins in February.