Current leader Rory McIlroy admits he would be disappointed to leave Jumeirah Golf Estates without The Race to Dubai trophy, but Danny Willett has his sights set on causing an upset at the DP World Tour Championship.
The pair are separated by just 1,613 points after 47 tournaments, meaning whoever finishes higher this week is likely to finish the season as European Number One – although there are five players who could snatch The Race to Dubai crown if both McIlroy and Willett finish down the leaderboard.
However, McIlroy – who is looking to win The Race to Dubai for the third time in four years – has no intention of being knocked off his perch.
“It's always great to come back to Dubai,” said the Northern Irishman.
“A place where I've got a lot of great memories - going back six years, winning my first professional title to Dubai Desert Classic, winning a couple of Race to Dubai titles and winning the Dubai Desert Classic again this year, it's always been a great place for me.
So it would be nice to do the Dubai double this year and pick up The Race to Dubai title to go with it. - McIlroy
“I didn't quite think I'd be in this position, and coming into this event, especially after taking the week off last week, but a few of the guys didn't capitalise on that in China thankfully and I find myself in a position where it's totally in my hands.
“If I go out and win the tournament, I win the overall thing no matter what anybody else does, and that's a nice position to be in.
“Obviously that's the main objective this week, and I feel like I'm playing well enough to do that.
“I'd love to be flying away from here on Monday morning with wrapping up The Race to Dubai; it would be a great way to finish the season and it would be very disappointing if that wasn't the case.”
World Number 21 Willett had a chance to go top of the standings at the BMW Masters last week, but believes coming into this week as underdog can play to his advantage.
This week there's one job to do which is win, and if you fail at winning, just try and beat Rory - Willett
“It's good - it's a new experience, a new challenge,” said the 28-year-old from England, who has been in the top two ever since winning the season-opening Nedbank Golf Challenge.
“It's been a long, busy year, but one that's been very rewarding in many ways, and yeah, in a fantastic position to go out and do something pretty amazing.
“It's just been good to obviously play great all around the world and compete all around the world and mix it with the best and beat some of them, sometimes lose.
“Just to be up there a lot of times throughout the year has given me a lot of confidence going forward.
“I think everybody would always like to see a little bit of an underdog try and come through.
“This week there's one job to do which is win, and if you fail at winning, just try and beat Rory.”
