As 60 players gather at Jumeirah Golf Estates for the climax of the Race to Dubai, europeantour.com uncovers the key facts about the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
REWIND
In 2015 Rory McIlroy completed the Dubai Double - winning both the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the Race to Dubai - for the second time in his career
It was the third time the Northern Irishman had been named European Tour Number One – he sealed his first Dubai Double in 2012 and topped the Rankings again in 2014, but was pipped to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship title by Henrik Stenson.
The four-time Major winner had to overcome a fierce battle with Andy Sullivan on the final day on the Earth course, with closest Race to Dubai rival Danny Willett snapping at his heels.
Four birdies in five holes from the 11th saw McIlroy surge ahead. Even a bogey after finding the water on the 17th could not derail him as he signed for a 66 to go 21 under and one shot clear of Sullivan.
Willett had won the season-opening Nedbank Golf Challenge and remained at the top of the standings for 14 weeks but McIlroy moved ahead of him in the spring of a campaign in which they were the only players to hold top spot.
The Englishman bogeyed two of his last three holes to drop to 13 under and a share of fourth, with Branden Grace - who closed with a 67 - securing third on his own at 15 under.
That was good enough to move Grace up to third in the Race to Dubai behind McIlroy and Willett while Sullivan moved into the top 15 to take a share of the Bonus Pool.
THE FIELD
60 players will compete in the final event of the season, with four still in the running to win the Race to Dubai.
Open Champion Henrik Stenson currently leads the Rankings, followed by 2016 Masters Tournament winner Danny Willett. Alex Noren is now up to third position after claiming his fourth victory of the season at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player, while defending Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy is also in contention, but must win this week to have a chance of being crowned European Tour Number One for the fourth time.
The additional incentive of a share of the $5million Bonus Pool for anyone finishing the season in the top ten means the likes of Tyrrell Hatton, Branden Grace, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Louis Oosthuizen, Chris Wood and Thorbjørn Olesen will all be looking to maintain their positions.
Slightly further down the Rankings, Jeunghun Wang has pulled ahead in the race to be named Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. Along with his rivals in the field - Li Haotong, Soomin Lee, Brandon Stone and Ricardo Gouveia - Wang is aiming to be the highest placed rookie in the final Race to Dubai Rankings and collect the award previously won by the likes of Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter.
THE COURSE
Earth is one of two courses set across the 1,119 hectares of lush green landscape at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and has been the home of the DP World Tour Championship since 2009.
Designed by Greg Norman, the 7675 yard course is inspired by the great parkland courses of Europe and North America.
Earth plays to a par 72 and features rolling fairways, brilliant white bunkers and a deep red ochre backdrop framed by trees and shrubs.
There is no shortage of hazards, with a total of 99 bunkers as well as a variety of lakes. Each of the last four holes play alongside or over water, culminating in a meandering creek running the full length of the 18th hole.
DID YOU KNOW?
- There are 22 different countries represented among the 60 players competing - Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, China, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United States and Wales
- The field is made up of 24 winners from the 2016 European Tour season, including nine of the top ten in the Race to Dubai Rankings. The one player within the top ten yet to win is Rafa Cabrera Bello in seventh
- The 60 players include 51 different European Tour winners, five players to have been European Tour Number One and seven Major Champions
- There are five players in the field who have recorded multiple victories during the 2016 season - Alex Noren (four) and two each for Charl Schwartzel, Henrik Stenson, Jeunghun Wang and Danny Willett
- Of the 60 players, Rory McIlroy has amassed the most top five finishes, with seven. Tyrrell Hatton, Joost Luiten, McIlroy and Henrik Stenson have gained the most top ten placings, with nine
- Matthew Southgate is the only 2015 European Tour Qualifying School graduates to make the top 60
- Nacho Elvira, Ricardo Gouveia and Brandon Stone are the 2015 Challenge Tour graduates to make the final event
- There are 12 players making their debut this week - Richard Bland, Jorge Campillo, Nacho Elvira, Ricardo Gouveia, Andrew Johnston, Joakim Lagergren, Soomin Lee, Li Haotong, Renato Paratore, Matthew Southgate, Brandon Stone and Jeunghun Wang. (Richard Bland is the oldest player in the history of the event to make their debut, aged 43).
