By Mathieu Wood
And then there were two. The DP World Tour's 13-month global odyssey reaches a climax with the brand-new DP World Tour Play-Offs.
The third and final distinct phase in the 2024 Race to Dubai comprise of the remaining two Rolex Series events of the season, held in the Middle East.
Showcasing the Tour’s leading players and innovation, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai are sure to provide a fitting finale to a memorable campaign.
Who is involved, what is at stake and how to watch. Here, we explain all...
What are the DP World Tour Play-Offs?
Introduced as part of a new-look schedule, the DP World Tour Play-Offs are the final sprint of the 2024 Race to Dubai.
The top 70 available players on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex contest the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with the top 50 after that set for the season finale at the DP World Tour Championship.
There are an elevated 9,000 Race to Dubai Ranking Points on offer at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and 12,000 available at the season ending DP World Tour Championship, with players awarded a share of the points based on their finishing position in the tournament.
When are the DP World Tour Play-Offs?
Starting in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship opens the DP World Tour Play-Offs from Thursday, November 7th to Sunday, November 10th.
Once the penultimate event of the season is concluded, it all comes down to the DP World Tour Championship as we close out the schedule from Thursday, November 14th to Sunday, November 17th.
How did players qualify?
Beginning last November and running through to August, the first phase of the season consisted of five global swings, before the Back 9 ran from late August through to October.
DP World Tour members have been able to win Race to Dubai points at each event, with 3,000 Race to Dubai Ranking Points on offer within the Global Swings and an increased 5,000 points in the Back 9.
The three previous Rolex Series events this season all carried an elevated 8,000 points.
To view the Race to Dubai Rankings ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, click here.
What is at stake?
Rory McIlroy will arrive in Abu Dhabi at the summit of the Race to Dubai Rankings, closing in on winning the Harry Vardon Trophy for a sixth time.
Depending on how he performs and his nearest challengers, principally Thriston Lawrence and Rasmus Højgaard, the Northern Irishman could seal the deal at the end of the first of the DP World Tour Play-Offs ahead of being crowned the DP World Tour's Number One player in Dubai.
Players will also battle it for their stake of the $10m on offer, while the top ten in the DP World Tour Rankings will share a bonus pool of $6m, with the Number One player claiming $2m.
The top ten DP World Tour members on the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings (not otherwise exempt) will earn a PGA TOUR card, becoming dual members for the 2025 season.
Who is in action in the Middle East?
A world-class field is set to compete in Abu Dhabi at the fourth Rolex Series event of the season.
Teeing it up at Yas Links will be four-time Major winner and defending Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy, fellow Major champions Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Adam Scott and Olympic silver medallist Tommy Fleetwood.
Joining them among a host of DP World Tour stars are Rolex Series winners Robert MacIntyre and Min Woo Lee, Højgaard twins Rasmus and Nicolai, along with Matteo Manassero and Japanese stars Rikuya Hoshino and Keita Nakajima.
With some players from inside the top 70 on the Rankings unavailable through injury or otherwise to feature in Abu Dhabi, American Sean Crocker is currently the last man in the field after finishing 76th on the standings at the end of the regular season.
To view the entry list for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, click here.
How can I watch it?
European Tour Productions, the DP World Tour’s in-house production company, will produce and distribute live coverage of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
For specific broadcast timings of all territories please check your local listings.
As part of the extended coverage of the Rolex Series event, there will be live feature group action on all four days exclusive to My Tour members on the DP World Tour website.
To register and enjoy the benefit, click here to sign up.
What is the format for both events?
The DP World Tour Play-Offs will be contested over 72-hole individual strokeplay, with no cut.
Who are the defending champions?
After winning last year's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, previously held in January towards the start of the season, Victor Perez went on to earn dual membership as one of the top ten players on the Race to Dubai Rankings not already exempt on the DP World Tour.
He has since maintained his playing privileges stateside, but was unable to finish inside the top 70 leading players on the Race to Dubai and will not feature in Abu Dhabi.
Nicolai Højgaard won the prestigious DP World Tour Championship last season, and ensured his place in the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs in Abu Dhabi with a strong showing at the Genesis Championship last time out.
The Dane will now look to climb from 67th in the Rankings into the top 50 available players to be eligible for the finale in Dubai later this month.
Who has won so far on the Rolex Series?
· Hero Dubai Desert Classic: Rory McIlroy
· Genesis Scottish Open: Robert MacIntyre
· BMW PGA Championship: Billy Horschel
