Dubai: Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the Arab and Emirates Golf Federation, hit a 190-yard ceremonial tee shot to begin a one month countdown to the $8 million (Dh29.3 million) DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Monday.
In one month’s time — November 17 to 20 — the top 60 golfers on the European Tour’s Order of Merit will tee off from the same spot in the eighth season-ending decider to be held in Dubai.
There are four events still to be played on the Race to Dubai before arriving in the Emirate — they are in Portugal, China, Turkey and South Africa.
Currently leading the Race to Dubai is Masters champion Danny Willett of England, followed by Open champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden and defending DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.
Alex Noren of Sweden, who won the British Masters at the weekend is now fourth in the Race to Dubai, and is also confirmed to play in the year-ender.
Nick Tarratt, Director of the European Tour’s Dubai office, said: “It’s exciting to have the eighth DP World Tour Championship here at Jumeirah Golf Estates in one month’s time to showcase the top players on the European Tour. The Race to Dubai has 47 events in 27 destinations and they visit here for the culmination of a great series around the world.”
Last year the season-ending event attracted 65,000 spectators and was beamed to a TV audience of 423 million worldwide.
Spectators can register for free fast-track entry tickets for the season-ender at dpworldtourchampionship.com.
