The Northern Irishman has enjoyed a stellar 2014, adding to his haul of majors with victories at The Open and US PGA Championship, and also playing a part as Europe retained the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy's place at the top of the European Tour's money list was confirmed on Sunday when neither Jamie Donaldson, Sergio Garcia or Marcel Siem were able to win the Turkish Open, a tournament the world number one took no part in.
At 25, McIlroy is being tipped to dominate golf like Tiger Woods did for a decade from the mid-1990s.
For now, though, McIlroy is happy to savour a fantastic last 12 months.
He said: "This has obviously been the best season of my career by a long way, and to win the Race to Dubai for the second time really is something truly special.
"That four-week spell over the summer, from The Open to the US PGA Championship [during which McIlroy also won the WGC-Bridgestone Championship], would have to be the best golf of my life, so I feel like I've really earned the Race to Dubai.
"Winning it for the first time two years ago was a fantastic feeling, but I feel like I'm now a more complete player and my all-round game has moved to another level.
"I've put in a lot of hard work this season, with my game and my fitness, so it's nice to get the rewards at the end of it."
The top 60 players on the European Tour's money list will now compete at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai from Thursday, with McIlroy aiming to follow up his victory at the tournament in 2012.
"In some ways the pressure is off next week, but I'll fight very hard to end the year on a high with another victory," he said.
"I've a great record in this tournament, and in Dubai generally, having secured my first European Tour win there in 2009.
"It's a great tournament to finish the season with, and if I can notch up another win it really will complete an amazing year.
"I'm looking forward to getting out on the golf course and feeling that competitive edge again."