The 15th edition will see the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai Rankings compete at the fifth and final Rolex Series event of the 2023 DP World Tour season.

The Earth Course will once again test the DP World Tour’s finest as we determine who will walk away with the trophy and the winner’s cheque at the $10 million showdown, and also find out who will claim the season-long Race to Dubai crown. 

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Mates, teammates and roommates will have to put the pals’ act to one side after Team Europe’s Ryder Cup heroics in Rome, as this one will be every man for himself. 

We will have at least 10 of Team Europe’s stars on show. Defending DP World Tour Champ Jon Rahm and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy will be back in town for the season finale, while Ryder Cup teammates Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Nicolai Højgaard, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka and Tommy Fleetwood will all enter the event on a high after they all helped Europe defeat Team USA at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club last month to reclaim the Ryder Cup.

The only absentee is rookie and nailed-on future superstar Ludvig Aberg, who only turned professional a few months ago and therefore does not have enough points to make the top-50 field. The last Team Europe member, veteran Justin Rose, has some work to do in Qatar and South Africa if he is to get into the last event of the DP World Tour season. 

McIlroy is looking to join Rahm as the only player to win the DP World Tour Championship three times — the Spaniard is the defending champion and also won in 2017 and 2019, while McIlroy claimed the title in 2012 and 2015 — and the Northern Irishman is the defending Race to Dubai champ. 

“Playing at the DP World Tour Championship is always an amazing experience,” McIlroy said. “Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a lot of success in Dubai and at this event in particular. The fans have been great, it’s amazing to have that support out there for us. When you have the top 50 golfers from the DP World Tour, you know it is going to be a fantastic competition. I’ve won here on a couple of occasions, and I would love to be right there come Sunday with both trophies to my name.”

Luke Walker/Getty Images

Rahm added: “It’s no surprise I love coming back to Dubai and to this golf course for the DP World Tour Championship. To win here three times, it means a lot to me, and it’s always an honour to defend any title you have put your name to.

“It’s going to be fantastic week. The vibe in Dubai is great, the field is world-class, and the fans get behind the players, so I am looking forward to the challenge and hopefully, I can give them something to cheer about come Sunday afternoon.”

Tom Phillips, Head of the Middle East for DP World Tour is anticipating a great event. “The 15th edition of the DP World Tour Championship marks a remarkable journey of growth, from its inception to becoming one of the key tournaments in our global calendar. 

“The vibrant atmosphere created by passionate fans in Dubai is a testament to the unwavering excitement that surrounds this event, making it a true celebration of golf, as well as being an entertaining day out for all spectators.

“Following Team Europe’s thrilling Ryder Cup victory in Rome, I am delighted Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Nicolai Højgaard, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka and, of course, Tommy Fleetwood who joins us here, are confirmed for our season-ending tournament. We also have their Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm — our defending champion — already announced, so we cannot wait to see these world-class golfers all in action.”

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Fleetwood, who secured the Ryder Cup for Europe when he was guaranteed at least a half-point in his match against Rickie Fowler, added: “Dubai has a special place in my heart, both as my home away from England and the home to one of my academies.

“I’ve played a number of tournaments here at Jumeirah Golf Estates and I look forward to the 15th edition of the DP World Tour Championship in November. The fans have been unbelievable over the years and it has been amazing to witness it grow over time with all the activities available for kids and families, plus some pretty decent golfers.

“It’s an exciting tournament and I can’t wait to have some of my Ryder Cup teammates here as well, it is going to be another special week.”

The tournament will not only showcase the cream of the DP World Tour but also highlight the event’s commitment to a greener, more eco-conscious future. Building on foundations from previous years, this year’s Earth Lounge on the 16th hole will be fully powered by solar panels and hydrogen generators, resulting in a 100 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, while Averda, the event’s official waste management company, will recycle 75 per cent of tournament waste.

DP World Tour Championship’s commitment extends beyond the course, with the continuation of the G4D Tour, further reinforcing the event’s commitment to inclusivity. The G4D Tour Series Finale will be hosted on November 17, showcasing the leading gross-ranked players from the World Ranking for Golfers with a Disability.

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Daniel Van Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer of Group Communications at DP World, said: “The 2023 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai is just around the corner, and it’s set to be an exhilarating season finale. This event marks our second year as the Title Partner of the DP World Tour, and what a fantastic two years it’s been.

“We’re excited to welcome the world’s best golfers back to Dubai for what promises to be an incredible conclusion to the season. The tournament holds special significance for DP World, and it’s also a standout on Dubai’s sporting and social calendar. It’s an event that caters to the entire family and gets better year on year. We can’t wait to see everyone at Jumeirah Golf Estates in just a month’s time.”

Main image: Jumeirah Golf Estates

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By GolfDigestME.com
The DP World Tour Rankings, the DP World Tour’s season-long competition to crown its No. 1 player, will be renamed the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex from the 2023 season onwards.

The Race to Dubai is, of course, a familiar name having previously been the title of the points-based ranking from 2009 until 2021.

It was renamed the DP World Tour Rankings for the 2022 season, when DP World became the title partner of the European Tour group’s main Tour.

Now, with the support of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, it will revert back to the Race to Dubai brand from next season when the leading eight players will share an increased bonus pool of $6million as part of an overall $144.2million prize fund across a minimum of 39 tournaments in 26 countries on the DP World Tour’s 2023 global schedule.

Speaking about the new agreement, Guy Kinnings, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Commercial Officer of the DP World Tour, said: “The Race to Dubai is a strong narrative for us, reflecting our season-long contest which builds towards the final Rolex Series event of the year in Dubai, our DP World Tour Championship, where we crown our No. 1 player. We are therefore pleased to be bringing it back with the support of Rolex and this announcement further cements the long-standing relationship between the DP World Tour and the Emirate of Dubai — a relationship that dates back to the first staging of the Dubai Desert Classic in 1989.

“Our partnership continues to drive significant exposure for Dubai and its leading businesses on a global scale. The 2023 DP World Tour season promises to be one of our most exciting yet, with a record prize fund on offer. We look forward to seeing which player earns the right to be named the Race to Dubai champion at the DP World Tour Championship next November.”

Past Race to Dubai champions include star names such as Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Collin Morikawa.

The 2023 Race to Dubai will begin from November 24-27, 2022, with two tournaments — the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and the Joburg Open in South Africa — co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Sunshine Tour respectively.

It will conclude with the $10million DP World Tour Championship which will take place at Jumeirah Golf Estates for the 15th consecutive year from November 16-19, 2023.

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The 14th DP World Tour Championship takes place from November 17-20, and promises to be another cracker as the top 50 players in the rankings fight it out on two fronts.

First of all, there is the DPWTC itself, the individual strokeplay event that brings the curtain down on the 2022 DP World Tour season. 

Then there is the season-long DP World Tour Rankings race, with the fans guaranteed a treat as two of the tour’s top names are set to fight it out on both fronts.

FedEx Cup champion, two-time DPWTC winner and world No. 1 Rory McIlroy is set to do battle with US Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick as both are confirmed for the fifth and final Rolex Series event of the season on the famous JGE Earth Course.

Northern Irishman McIlroy has led the way in the Rankings since July when he finished third at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews. Fitzpatrick, who shot to global fame when he won his maiden major at the US Open in Brookline, is breathing down his neck.

Ras Al Khaimah champ Ryan Fox is hunting his third DP World Tour title of the season. Getty Images

JGE has been a happy hunting ground for both McIlroy and Fitzpatrick, with the world No. 1 having won the Race to Dubai (as it was known then) in 2012, 2014 and 2015, doubling up with the DP World Tour Championship in 2012 and 2015.

For his part, Fitzpatrick claimed the DPWTC in 2016 and 2020 and narrowly missed out on defending his title to Collin Morikawa last time out. 

“I’m really excited to return to the DP World Tour Championship, especially with a chance of winning the Harry Vardon Trophy [Rankings] for a fourth time,” McIlroy said. “I have some great memories of playing golf in Dubai, from making my first cut on Tour as an amateur, to winning my first DP World Tour title and then finishing top of the rankings on three occasions.

“To win both the DP World Tour Rankings and the FedEx Cup in the same season would be a great achievement and would cap what has been a memorable year on the golf course.”

Fitzpatrick, 28, has steadily rose to prominence over the past few seasons and won his eighth DP World Tour title at the US Open at the Country Club — the same course where he won the US Amateur nine years earlier, becoming just the second golfer in history after Jack Nicklaus to win both championships at the same venue.

The Englishman has stayed in form since his June triumph at Brookline, and just missed out on winning the Italian Open in September.

“It’s very exciting to go to Dubai with a chance of winning the DP World Tour Rankings,” said Fitzpatrick. “I’ve come very close to finishing top in the past, so I’ll be going to Jumeirah Golf Estates with a lot of confidence knowing that I’ve had some great results on the Earth Course in the past.”

McIlroy has a commanding lead in the Rankings standings, but with 12,000 points on offer in Dubai (2,000 to the DPWTC winner), things can change rapidly, as McIlroy knows all too well as he was overhauled on the final day of the 2021 campaign when Morikawa took both the Rolex Series title and the season-long race crown. 

Rory McIlroy is not the only Irish interest in Rankings contention as Shane Lowry also has a chance for glory. Getty Images

McIlroy can mathematically still be caught by seven other players in the standings and that could possibly increase with the Portugal Masters and Nedbank Golf Challenge still to be played ahead of the season finale in Dubai, and McIlroy expected to skip both events. 

Looking ahead to the event, Tom Phillips, Head of the Middle East, DP World Tour, said: “Anticipation is building across the UAE, not just among golf fans but also the general public who are looking forward to enjoying some of the finest premium experiences a golf tournament can offer.

“We’ve had a huge number of fans already register and we expect many more to avail the free general admission tickets in the final weeks leading up to the greatest weekend on Earth at Jumeirah Golf Estates.”

While this pair will certainly draw the crowds, there will be no shortage of other stars — some of whom while be plotting their own move to take one or both of the titles on offer. 

Ras Al Khaimah Classic and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner Ryan Fox has been in consistent form all year and the Kiwi would love to claim his third win of the year in Dubai.

Norwegian Viktor Hovland is no stranger to victory in the UAE and claimed the Dubai Desert Classic crown in January. Mr Consistent Will Zalatoris, Abu Dhabi HSBC champ Thomas Pieters, BMW PGA Championship winner Shane Lowry and Irish Open champion Adrian Meronk could all still reel in McIlroy as it stands. 

Whatever happens, everyone who can should get down to Earth.

[divider] [/divider]

EVENTS

A week-long festival planned on Earth

The fun in Dubai begins well before Thursday’s official tee-off as the DP World Tour Championship, celebrating its 14th year, prepares for a week of entertainment on and off the course.

It all kicks off with the Rolex Pro-Am event on Tuesday, as guests will have the chance to watch the pro golfers, sporting stars and other celebrities play a fun competition. There will also be meet & greet opportunities as well as family-oriented activations, entertainment and F&B at the Jumeirah Fan Village.

On Friday, the tournament will host a Community Day, inviting schools, junior golfers and people of determination to experience behind-the-scenes tours, first-hand introduction to golf clinics, innovative kids’ workshops, as well as sundowners for the adults.

Following last year’s success, making its return to the DPWTC is Ladies Day on Saturday. Female guests will be treated to two complimentary beverages, ladies’ golf clinics, a ‘best dressed’ competition and plenty of perks.

Also taking place over Friday and Saturday is the new-look G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour Series Finale, which will see the world’s eight leading golfers of determination come together to compete in the series finale in Dubai. The G4D golfers will play on the same course as the top 50 golfing professionals participating in the DPWTC.

The finale on Sunday will see Jumeirah Golf Estates host a Family Day with a variety of activities including children’s shows and interactive events in the Village.

Gates will open at 7am each day with general admission tickets available free of charge. Tickets are also available for the tournament chalets and Earth Lounge.

The post Pulling rank: The crowds are set for a thrilling DP World Tour Championship appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Alex Myers
When you graduate from Cal-Berkeley with a degree in business administration, you’re set up to do well earnings-wise in your career. But we’re guessing Collin Morikawa has made just a tad bit more than any of his 2019 classmates thanks to golf.

In just under two-and-a-half years since turning pro, Morikawa has won two majors, five PGA Tour events and the season-long Race to Dubai on the European Tour. Add up all the prize money, including bonuses, from that and you get a staggering total of more than $23 million for the 24-year-old.

But break it down by event, and his (very) early returns are even more amazing. Check out this graphic that shows how much Morikawa has made per tournament, per round and per shot:

Nearly $400K every time he tees it up?! Pretty darn impressive. And, obviously, he’s just getting started.

“I’m going to set the bar as high as I can get and keep going,” Morikawa said after winning the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday. “I’m still not No. 1 in the world. I still have a lot to work on in my game.”

But in the meantime, he still has a lot of prize money to keep track of. Seems like that business administration degree is going to come in handy after all.

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By John Huggan
It would be something of a stretch to claim that Collin Morikawa sat down at the start of 2021 and thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to win the Race to Dubai?” But, rather like a man strolling along minding his own business, the Open champion has suddenly come upon a $100 bill lying on the sidewalk. So it is that, heading into what will be the final event of the 2021 European Tour season, the DP World Tour Championship, Morikawa sits atop the standings.

With 72 holes to play over the Greg Norman-designed (oh, the irony) Earth course at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, Morikawa has much to ponder. First place in the tournament pays $3 million. Maintaining his lead over countryman Billy Horschel—currently 236.2 points—would bring a $1 million bonus. And there is some potential for history-making involved, too. No American has ever finished first on the European money list.

Before all that, however, Morikawa had a pleasant surprise. In a short and informal ceremony ahead of his pre-tournament press conference, the 24-year-old Californian became the 57th honorary member of the European Tour (and last, given the imminent re-branding of the circuit to the DP World Tour). Morikawa is just the fifth American so honoured, joining Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Patrick Reed.

“Two and a half years ago when I turned pro, I had no clue what life was going to put in front of me,” said a visibly touched Morikawa. “Obviously the world has gone through many changes, but this means a lot. We want to grow the game as much as we can, and this is an important piece of that. I’m going to honour this. It is very special and definitely a top highlight for me since turning pro.”

Still, any feelings of friendship will be forgotten later this week as Morikawa attempts to fend off a cosmopolitan quintet led by Horschel. Given the extent of Morikawa’s advantage, only Tyrrell Hatton, Min Woo Lee, Matt Fitzpatrick and Paul Casey also have a chance to claim the RtD title. Indeed, even if Morikawa were somehow to finish 53rd (last) in the elite field this week, he would still top the standings if Horschel finishes worse than a two-way tie for 8th and the other four fail to win the tournament.

.@collin_morikawa has been awarded Honorary Life Membership of the European Tour in recognition of his debut Open Championship victory at Royal St Georges in July.

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 17, 2021

In other words, Morikawa is in a pretty strong position. But he is taking nothing for granted.

“I’m not taking this week lightly,” he insisted. “It would mean a lot to be the first American to win the Race to Dubai. I’ve put a lot of work in the last week, the past couple days to be ready and to come here and play as best as I can. Yes, we’re at the tail end of the season. But I made that mistake with how the FedEx Cup went. I injured myself and got a little unfortunate with the way the playoffs worked. I worked so hard through the regular season to put myself in a good spot, so I don’t want to let this go. You don’t know how many chances you’re going to get to win a Race to Dubai. I’ve been lucky to play well this year in a major and the WGC to get me in this position.

“But I’m here to win the tournament,” he continued. “If I just beat Billy Horschel, that’s not going to guarantee me the Race to Dubai. I’m trying to take care of my business. The only time I’ve ever looked at trying to beat an opponent was at the Ryder Cup. There, that’s all that matters—you get a point on the board. When it comes to tournaments like this and you have a chance to win a season-long race like the Race to Dubai, you can’t think about that. You can’t worry about the ‘what ifs’ or what points might add up. You’ve just got to go out and play your best. The goal is to win the tournament.”

Inevitably, amidst this burst of mutual appreciation, Morikawa was asked if the imminent change to the DP World Tour will see him crossing the Atlantic more often in future. As ever, though, that question was met with an understandably qualified but diplomatic response. Professional golfers go where the money is, and that, like it or not, is most weeks the PGA Tour.

“I’m always open to adding new events,” Morikawa said. “We travel so much, and my off-season this year is going to be about a month. I had three weeks off before this, but still had to prep for this week and still had to get ready. So it’s all about balancing your schedule. I’ve been very lucky since I turned pro to figure out a schedule and been able to balance not playing too much here and there. But the European Tour, the DP World Tour has been great to me. They’ve done amazing things every time I’ve been able to travel over here and play. It’s exciting. I’m always welcome. It’s been a lot of fun and I look forward to adding a couple more events here and there.”

The post Collin Morikawa sounds like he’s all business as he eyes American history in the Euro Tour finale appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By John Huggan
They’re still smarting. Almost two months on from the record-breaking 19-9 Ryder Cup defeat the Old World suffered at the hands of the Americans at Whistling Straits, at least one member of the European squad is looking for a wee bit of payback. With some justification, too. One of only six players capable of topping the season-long Race to Dubai points list, Matt Fitzpatrick has arrived at the European Tour’s climactic DP World Tour Championship as the leading European and armed with some weighty credentials to back up his wish for retribution.

The 27-year-old Englishman—pointless in his five matches over two Ryder Cup appearances—is the defending champion in this event, having also triumphed back in 2016. In six previous visits to the 7,675-yard Greg Norman-designed Earth Course on the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Fitzpatrick has accumulated five top-12 finishes. Twenty-one of his 24 rounds have ended in red figures (he is a cumulative 71 under par), and only once has he shot more than 72.

MORE: Rory McIlroy maintains tough stance against Norman/Saudi-backed golf series

But even a third victory this week would not be enough to guarantee a first-place finish in the RtoD. Currently sixth in the standings, Fitzpatrick is 1,743.2 points behind the leader, Open champion Collin Morikawa, and 1,507 points adrift of second-placed Billy Horschel, both of whom are aiming to be the first American to win what used to called the “Order of Merit.” To pass both, Fitzpatrick has to win—which is worth 2,000 points and $3 millions—and have Morikawa finish worse than ninth and Horschel worse than a two-way tie for fifth.

A tall order, but Fitzpatrick “fancies his chances” at the end of a season that has seen him consistently perform with some distinction on courses where he has either positive history or just feels “comfortable.” Strangely, however, that covers a range of courses with hardly any common factors. Where this week the Earth course calls for big-hitting into generously wide fairways, just last month the former U.S. Amateur champion claimed his seventh European Tour victory at Valderrama, a notoriously tight, tree-lined venue.

There’s no logic to it really. Hardly the longest hitter on tour, the 17 under Fitzpatrick shot to win here in 2016 is the lowest he has ever gone in his pro career. Then he was 15 under last year.

MORE: Collin Morikawa eyes American history in the Euro Tour finale

“This is one of the two European Tour courses, Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland, where I’ve won twice, is the other, on which I feel like I have the best chance to win,” he said. “Which is weird. Before I came here for the first time, everyone was telling me how long and tough the course is. Then I finished fourth. And a year later I won. So now I love it here.

“I have felt it more this year for whatever reason,” Fitzpatrick continued. “I just feel comfortable on certain courses, ones I know well and have played well on. If I look at my results this year, that is definitely a pattern. I played well at Riviera, which I’ve done a few times. Same at Bay Hill and the Players. In contrast, my summer was poor, apart from the Scottish Open. Again, I tend to perform well there.”

Fitzpatrick was the winner in Dubai in 2016 and 2020 (shown). Andrew Redington

And the American thing?

“I know no American has won the Race to Dubai,” he said with a smile. “And I’m the leading Europeans going into this week. So no pressure then. I’ve had a look at how we stand. I don’t think Collin played that well here last year [he finished T-10, eight shots behind Fitzpatrick]. And Billy is here for the first time. So he’ll have to get used to the place a bit. I’ll be honest, I fancy my chances having won last year. It’s not a secret.

“It would be nice to stop them winning our title,” he continued. “And yes, it was nice to see me, Rory [McIlroy] and Victor [Hovland] win tournaments since the Ryder Cup. And yes, it would be good to stop history. A ‘this one’s for Europe’ sort of thing [laughs]. It would be great. To be completely honest though, I’ve not really thought about that. I’m really focusing on winning the tournament. If I do that, everything else hopefully takes care of itself.”

MORE: European Tour to be rebranded DP World Tour in 2022

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By John Huggan
DUBAI, U.A.E. — It should come as no surprise to anyone to hear that Rory McIlroy—a proud Irishman born and bred—is predisposed to all things green. But, as ever with the four-time major champion, there is more to that aspect in his character than casual preference. One of the most thoughtful members of golf’s elite, the Belfast boy has always been mature beyond his years. Asked about the size of the global footprint someone with his jet-set lifestyle can potentially leave in his wake, McIlroy revealed that he is almost 24 months into positively alleviating that issue.

“Two years ago, after I won in China [at the WGC-HSBC Champions], I flew back home privately,” he said in Dubai, where he will compete this week in the final “European Tour” event, the DP World Tour Championship. “It was just me on the plane and a massive sense of guilt came over me. ‘This can’t be good,’ I thought.

“When the R&A and the USGA brought out their distance insights report, the best thing they spoke about was the sustainability aspect of golf and how to make the footprint of courses smaller. So that is certainly something we can all do. If every other industry in the world is making a push towards going green, why should we be any different?”

Good question. And in search of an answer, McIlroy approached the GEO Foundation, which is involved in the encouragement of sustainability within golf.

“What I was trying to do is make all my travel—I wouldn’t self-profess to be an eco-warrior, but I’m someone that doesn’t want to damage the environment—around the world neutral,” McIlroy said. “How can I neutralise what I do?”

Provided with a few ways in which he could achieve that aim, McIlroy typically took things even further. On top of what it costs him to fly privately, he pays an additional amount (£150,000 this year) to make sure he is carbon neutral by Dec. 31.

“It’s something I have a conscience about and I take it seriously,” he continued. “Especially when you see some of the weather events that are happening. I live in a part of the world where hurricanes are prevalent and becoming more and more prevalent as the years go on. I think we can all play our part in some way or another. We play on big pieces of land that take up a lot of water that some argue could maybe be put to better use. This isn’t something I’ve talked to many of the players about. But for my own peace of mind, I know that when I do travel I’m not doing it to the detriment of the world that we live in.”

As ever, too, McIlroy is likely in the minority in placing so much emphasis on the issues the world’s politicians spent two weeks discussing at the recent COP26 conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Asked to comment, BMW PGA champion Billy Horschel and the defending champion here, Matt Fitzpatrick, had clearly given the matter a lot less headspace.

“It’s a bigger issue than me,” Horschel said. “Do I want to leave this place in a better place than I found it? Yeah. But I think we need to look at all scenarios before we make a decision. At the end of the day, travel is what I do for my job, and I try to do it responsibly. But for me to do what I want to do, I have to travel. Simple as that.”

“It’s not something I think about,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s my job. If I couldn’t get on planes, I would probably play only about five tournaments a year.”

Moving right along, McIlroy was on more familiar ground when asked about the state of play between himself and long-time coach, Michael Bannon. For the last few months, the pair were—publicly at least—estranged, with McIlroy employing swing guru Pete Cowen. In turn, that relationship has apparently gone less than well, even if, in the wake of McIlroy’s emotional reaction to his poor play at the recent Ryder Cup, he almost immediately went out and won the CJ Cup in Las Vegas. Anyway, as of now, Bannon is back and Cowen is, in soccer parlance, “on the bench” if McIlroy feels any need for his advice.

(Photo: Warren Little) Bannon back on the scene in Dubai.

“Michael has always been my coach,” McIlroy said. “He’s coached me since I was eight years old. He knows my swing and my game better than I know it at this point. And he’s always been there, even if he’s been in the background for the last six months. But in those two weeks in between the Ryder Cup and Vegas, I feel like I figured a few things out on my own, which sometimes you need to do. I’m not saying I won’t need help ever again and that I’ve got it figured out. This is about being myself and not trying to do anything other people do or what I can’t do.

“I went to Vegas with a little more self-belief, and I won that tournament, and that gave me even more confidence. So, if anything, Michael is more of a sounding board at this point. I say to him what I’m trying to do. And he tells me if I’m completely not right.”

Amid all of the above, one thing isn’t going to change, however. Yes, McIlroy was quick to acknowledge the benefits to rank-and-file members that will accrue from the overhaul of the “European Tour” brand and the emergence of the new “DP World Tour” that will start later this month in South Africa. But no, it will have little or no effect on his own schedule.

“It’s a great thing for this tour that those who compete here full-time have a place to play long into the future,” he said. “But I’m just going to play the same events I’ve played for the last five years or so. It may encourage me to add an event here or there, but for the most part I’ll probably keep doing what I’ve done the last few years.”

Indeed, sometimes in life you just have to green and bear it. Groan.

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By Ryan Herrington
Jon Rahm is skipping the European Tour 2021 finale, and with it giving up on the chance to win the tour’s season-long points title for the second time in three years.

The World No. 1 announced that he won’t be playing in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, deciding to forego the travel to remain with his family.

“After lengthy discussions with my team, I have come to the difficult decision not to travel to Dubai next week,” Rahm said in a statement. “The demands of a long season with many ups and downs has taken a lot out of me. I feel I need to take time to recharge my batteries while spending quality time with my family.

MORE: Why JB Hansen deserved better on Sunday and how the DPWTC has sadly lost its lustre   

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish DP World and the European Tour all the best for the season-ending event, which is always such a special tournament. I would also like to reiterate my congratulations to both for the announcement of the DP World Tour earlier this week, and I look forward very much to competing on the DP World Tour next year.”

Rahm currently is third in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai standings behind Collin Morikawa and Billy Horschel. He previously won the season-long title in 2019. He’s also won the year-end tournament at Jumeriah Golf Estates in 2019 and previously in 2017. The 27-year-old Spaniard’s decision not to play increases the chances that an American will win the Race to Dubai title for the first time in history.

RELATED: European Tour reveals divorce from Asian Tour in email to members

Rahm competed in 21 events on the PGA and European Tour in 2021 along with the Ryder Cup, recording 12 top-10 finishes. He last competed in October at the Spanish Open and Andalucia Masters in his home country of Spain. He finished T-17 in the former event before missing the cut the next week. Afterward, Rahm noted how tied he was after a long season that included the high of winning his first major title at the U.S. Open and the low of twice testing positive for COVID-19 and having to withdraw from the Memorial and the Tokyo Olympics.

“This is the first time in my life that I don’t want to see a golf club,” Rahm said last month. “And this comes from someone who loves the sport, and after a year in which some pretty good things have happened to me.

“More than my body, it is my mind that can’t take it. If we add it all up, I need to rest.”

The post Jon Rahm WDs from European Tour finale, ends bid to win Race to Dubai title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Claude Harmon III, the super coach with his name above the door at the golf performance academy attached to The Els Club, Dubai, shows how 2021 Race to Dubai contender Billy Horschel gets to the top of his back swing in perfect – and powerful – balance 

By Claude Harmon III
Billy Horschel is known as one of the best ball strikers on the PGA Tour and as we approach the grand finale of the European Tour season, he is perfectly positioned for a serious tilt at the Race to Dubai title. But what makes the reigning BMW PGA Championship winner one of the best ball strikers around?

Billy is constantly working on creating a stable top of the backswing position to produce that efficient ball striking that we see week-in, week-out. He does this by maintaining some flex in his right leg at the top of the backswing which allows him to not only manage the length of the backswing but also create the energy needed to push off that leg in transition and thus generate maximum power. In addition to this, maintaining a short and controlled top of the backswing position is key for Billy. He is always looking to avoid a long, loose and narrow look to his top of backswing position.

Photo by Joachim Guay

Drill to thrill
The trail leg drill is a great way to help you maintain flex in your trail leg. Drop your front leg back and begin by making some backswings, focusing on maintaining the flex in your right knee. This should give you the sensation of a very stable lower body, while also allowing you to maintain a lot of width at the top of the swing. I really like Billy’s golf swing and some of the things he works on with his lower body. Copy this drill and before long, you’ll notice an improvement in your ball striking too.

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Claude Harmon III is in the vanguard of the new generation of golf teachers. Steeped in tradition both his grandfather, Claude Harmon, and father Claude “Butch” Harmon Jr., have been the dominant teachers of their generation.

The post How Billy Horschel’s simple back swing move will make you a better ball-striker appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
JB Hansen was playing to extend his season one final week but mostly he was playing for matters of the heart.

When the Dane won his maiden European Tour title at the Joburg Open a year ago, the world was in the midst of much stricter COVID-19 restrictions.

Mercifully, the $1.5 million AVIV Dubai Championship was played before fans on Fire and Hansen’s wife Elisabeth and children were on hand to see their 31-year-old husband and father triumph with a -23 aggregate.

A closing 68 got it done for Hansen by a stroke from Austrian Ryder Cupper Bernd Wiesberger and Italy’s Francesco Laporta.

Hansen needed a victory to secure his place in this week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship on the neighbouring Earth Course at JGE and has duly risen from 85th position to 43rd in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Teamwork ? @JoachimBHansen1 #AVIVDubaiChampionship pic.twitter.com/hgZQTCPfzL

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 14, 2021

He’s looking forward to one last push now the pressure if off but not before celebrating Denmark’s fourth win on tour this season after joining compatriots Rasmus Højgaard (Omega European Masters) Nicolai Højgaard (DS Automobiles Italian Open) and Jeff Winther (Mallorca Golf Open) in the winner’s circle.

“It means a lot, especially with family and friends here this time. There was no one there in Joburg,” said Hansen.

“When I saw Jeff Winther win in Mallorca, I was very jealous because he had the family and friends celebrating with him and I really wanted all of that so I’m really glad I get to experience that.”

Hansen opened the week with a 63 and never looked back. Just don’t be fooled by his outwardly calm demeanour.

“I’ve heard that before about me looking calm, but no way. I said to my caddie down the last Adam ‘I’m struggling here mate, we need to talk about something else’ because I was thinking too far ahead and that was hard.

“I didn’t expect it at all. I just wanted to have a nice week with the family with a good tournament and the lovely weather down here, it turns out with a good nine under start and stayed in contention all week and it’s nice to come out on top.

How it finished in Dubai ?#AVIVDubaiChampionship

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 14, 2021

“I spoke to my coach about it, when you don’t chase it or expect to win, you win. I think that’s what’s happened this week.

“I’m very proud of myself to get it done because I wasn’t playing great out there. The first two rounds were some of the best of my life. Yesterday wasn’t great, and I have really struggled to find the middle of the club on my woods. I didn’t drive it well, but my putter helped today, I putted a lot better than yesterday. That kept me in the game.”

Englishman Andy Sullivan produced a remarkable finish – picking up seven shots in his final six holes, including an eagle on the last – in a round of 65 to finish three back on 20 under par, which looked to have secured his spot in the all-important top 54 on the Race to Dubai and qualify for the DP World Tour Championship.

However, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond also eagled the last for a round of 67 to join him on that mark, which meant Sullivan dropped to 55th position and missed out by one Race to Dubai point, and ultimately, by one place.

The post Envy sparks Hansen’s season-extending AVIV Dubai Championship win appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.