Rory McIlroy, who finished second to Lee Westwood in the inaugural Race to Dubai last year, believes there is plenty to play for on the final stretch before the season-ending Dubai World Championship presented by DP World at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 25-28.
The World Number Nine acknowledges the powerful lead established by Germany’s Martin Kaymer at the top of the current rankings, but also knows that after the €3 million prize fund on offer at this week’s Andalucia Valderrama Masters is distributed there will be a further US$23 million to be played for in the remaining four events of The European Tour season, with the Dubai World Championship’s US$7.5 million prize fund plus the US$7.5 million Bonus Pool increasing the cash incentive to finish the season in style.
McIlroy, currently 14th in The Race to Dubai, will return to European Tour action at the WGC – HSBC Champions in Shanghai next week, before playing the final two events on the International Schedule at the UBS Hong Kong Open and the Dubai World Championship.
“This year is a little different with Martin so far ahead but there is still a lot of money to be played for before we get to Dubai and the guys in the top five or six will still be hoping to get some big results and catch him,” said the Northern Irishman.
“We have Valderrama this week then huge purses at the WGC – HSBS Champions and the Barclays Singapore Open, the UBS Hong Kong Open and then the Dubai World Championship itself where there is big money to be played for in the Bonus Pool.
“The top 15 is also important for people who want to secure places in Major and World Golf Championships next year, so there is plenty to play for.”
McIlroy’s battle with Westwood 12 months ago saw the young star sneak into a lead over the Englishman as they headed for the last lap in Dubai. McIlroy played well to finish the tournament in third place but was unable to hold off Westwood’s overwhelming performance over the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“It was brilliant last year,” McIlroy recalled. “It was really tight between myself and Lee. He won the Portugal Masters and then I had a good finish in China and then finished second in Hong Kong to go past him going to Dubai.
“I played well in Dubai and finished third so Lee had to go out and win which he did in some style, you have to say. It was a great event last year, one of the most exciting finishes in recent years.”
McIlroy will be one of the elite 60 players heading for the Dubai World Championship at the end of November, as will Italy’s new golfing superstar Matteo Manassero, who became the youngest winner in Tour history on Sunday by claiming the COSTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar.
Manassero’s €333,330 first prize for his maiden professional win lifted the 17 year old from 83rd to 44th in The Race to Dubai to secure his place at the season’s final event. Other top performers from Spain, notably second placed Ignacio Garrido, third placed Gary Boyd, Peter Lawrie and Joost Luiten, all cemented their places in the field for Dubai.
In addition to DP World – Presenting Sponsor for the second year in succession – the Dubai World Championship is supported by Premium Partners Rolex, Emirates, and BMW; Sponsors Atlantis, CNN, The National and Polo/Ralph Lauren; and Event Supporters Dubai Duty Free, MMI, TNT and Toshiba.
