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2024 DP World Tour: A Guide to the Season Finale DP World Tour Championship

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Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates is buzzing this week as the DP World Tour readies to ring in its biggest week at the iconic Earth Course with the USD 10 million DP World Tour Championship.    

Featuring some of the world’s finest professional Golfers across global Tours, the battle for supremacy starts Thursday, November 14. It will culminate on Sunday, November 17, with the crowning of the Tour Championship winner and Race to Dubai champion after a season-long quest for excellence.

DP World Tour Championship 2024
The DP World Tour Championship 2024 will be played on the Earth Course of the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. (Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates/Facebook)

Everything to know about the DP World Tour Championship 2024

Into its 16th year, it will be a thrilling week of action for fans in the Middle East and beyond with a challenging course, formidable competitors and the twists that come with an event of this stature combining to make the Tour Championship a perfect fit for the record books. 

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Here’s everything you need to know about the DP World Tour’s season finale, including a quick recap of last year’s action, schedule, venue, prize money, and the players to watch out for.  

Reliving 2023  

The 2023 DP World Tour Championship is remembered for its dramatic conclusion and the rise of new stars.  

On the back of rounds of 67, 66, 70, Danish pro Nicolai Hojgaard went low with an 8-under 64 in a dramatic final round to claim the top spot by two strokes to push back Matt Wallace, Viktor Hovland, and Tommy Fleetwood with a final score of 21-under 267.  

With a winner’s cheque of Euro 2,764,461.00, Hojgaard finished second in the Race to Dubai (order of merit) ranking and reached a career high 50th on the Official World Golf Ranking.  

After being in lead the opening two days, Hojgaard slipped on Moving Day (Round 3) and went into Sunday three shots off the summit. The onus was on him to step up, which he did by being sharp off the tee and greens.  

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Wallace, who led Fleetwood and Hovland by one shot entering the final day, was unable to maintain the momentum that saw him shoot a 60 on Saturday.  

It was a see-saw battle with Hojgaard trailing by a shot after the first nine. Fleetwood was on fire as well at the start of the back nine with a birdie-making spree, and at one point led Hojgaard by three.  

Hojgaard recovered and took the lead with five straight birdies, but missed an easy putt for a birdie on the last hole.  

Hovland found water but the Norwegian recovered to finish at 19-under to share the second spot with Fleetwood and Wallace.  

Hojgaard was in celebration mode as he lifted the giant mace and winner’s cheque, and USD 1.2 million from the Race to Dubai bonus pool, which is divided among the top eight finishers.  

The juggernaut called Rory McIlroy  

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Rory McIlroy’s performance at the 2023 DP World Tour Championship demonstrated his perseverance and consistency through the season.  

Although he did not win, the points accrued through the season were enough to secure his fifth Race to Dubai title. 

He had a terrific start to the season, winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January after a thrilling last day at the Emirates Golf Club. He also won the Genesis Scottish Open, joint-sanctioned with the PGA Tour, in July and added a few more strong performances to his impressive record.  

Despite finishing T22 at the Tour Championship, his significant lead in the Race to Dubai standings won him the order of merit before the season finale.  

His triumph last year will assume greater significance this week in his pursuit to become Europe’s most successful player.   

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The Northern Irishman comes into the week in Dubai with a healthy lead as well. It is a two-man race between McIlroy and South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, but the former’s lead of 1785.02 points may well have sealed the sixth Race to Dubai crown for the World No 3.  

McIlroy sent out a huge statement with intent at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The first leg of the newly introduced DP World Tour Playoffs, the 70-man field at Yas Links witnessed McIlroy’s Sunday flourish and the T3 finish. With a total of 21-under, McIlroy said he is “in a good position” for the 50-man Tour Championship.    

McIlroy will be chasing history as one more title will leave him two wins shy of Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record and level Seve Ballesteros’ six victories.  

Key moments in a flash  

Birdie streak: Nicolai Hojgaard’s five consecutive birdies on Sunday’s back nine were nothing short of incredible. Beginning from Hole 13, he putted like a man possessed to finish at 21-under.   

Close race: Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Matt Wallace finished at 19-under 269 for a three-way tie for second.  

Solid finish: Tommy Fleetwood had an impressive final round, securing his spot in the top three with a birdie on the 18th.  

Epitome of accuracy: Viktor Hovland remained comPetitive throughout thanks to his consistent play and precise approach shots.  

Ending with a flourish: Tyrrell Hatton concluded the final round with an eagle to charge up the leaderboard and finish T11.  

Course overview  

DP World Tour Championship 2024
(Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates/Facebook)

Host to the 2024 DP World Tour Championship, the Earth Course of the Jumeirah Golf Estates is a par-72 layout with a yardage of 7,675.  

Designed by Major winner Greg Norman, the course is distinguished by its well-maintained fairways, tricky water hazards, and intriguing white bunkers that stand out against the lush surroundings.  

DP World Tour Championship 2024
(Image: Jumeirah Golf Estates/Facebook)

Influenced by the great parkland courses of Europe and North America, the design combines rolling hills, picturesque vistas, and a thoughtful placement of holes to challenge players.  

Furthermore, there is a combination of long and short holes, demanding accurate drives and precise approach shots. Its spectacular closing holes and amphitheatre-style surroundings guarantee an exciting season finale, making it a favourite among both players and fans.  

Signature Holes  

15th Hole (Par 4): The split fairway gives players the option of taking a more aggressive approach or a less risky path to the green. The approach shot is more difficult owing to the bunkering and water hazards.  

17th Hole (Par 3): An impressive par 3 over water that necessitates a perfect tee shot to stay clear of the lake. Surrounded by bunkers, the green is a challenging yet scenic hole.  

18th Hole (Par 5): A lengthy par 5 that runs over and around water, the 18th is one of the most notable finishing holes in the world. The big lake that shields the front of the green makes for a really interesting approach shot.  

Schedule   

The DP World Tour Championship 2024 is scheduled from Thursday, November 14, to Sunday, November 17.  

Monday, November 11 — Practice rounds  

Tuesday, November 12 — Rolex Pro-Am event  

Wednesday, November 13 — Practice rounds  

Thursday, November 14 — Opening round (Round 1)  

Friday, November 15 — Second round (Round 2)  

Saturday, November 16 — Third round (Round 3) 

Sunday, November 17 — Final round (Round 4)  

Field and players to watch out for  

Part of the new-look DP World Tour Playoffs, the DP World Tour Championship is the final leg of the 2024 Race to Dubai.  

The field of 50 players features the best of the best in the Race to Dubai ranking. With a prize purse of USD 10 million and 12000 ranking points, the stakes are extremely high. Here are just some of the players expected to make a mark this week.  

Rory McIlroy  

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With a seemingly insurmountable lead in the Race to Dubai ranking, McIlroy is the clear favourite this year. He has a superb track record in the Middle East and will be aiming to win his sixth Harry Vardon Trophy.  

Min Woo Lee  

After finishing top 20 in each of his previous appearances, the 26-year-old Australian, who won the opening event of the 2024 season at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, will be making his fourth appearance in the season finale.  

Robert MacIntyre  

After winning the RBC Canadian Open and his home Open, the Genesis Scottish Open, Scotsman MacIntyre is enjoying a career-best season.  

Shane Lowry  

With multiple impressive finishes this season, Lowry, the 2019 Open Championship winner, has been in excellent form. His skill, ability to play well in high-pressure circumstances, sharp short game and ingenuity around the greens make him a powerful contender on the Earth Course’s challenging layout.  

Matt Wallace  

Englishman Wallace, who earned his fifth DP World Tour title at the Omega European Masters in September, will seek to make the most at the Earth Course.  

Tommy Fleetwood  

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With a reputation for finishing strong, the Paris Olympics silver medalist will be a serious contender in light of his recent performances.  

Some of the other names to watch out for include Billy Horschel, Justin Rose, Adam Scott and Paul Waring, who stunned by winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last week.  

Prize money  

The winner of the 2024 DP World Tour Championship will take home USD 3 million out of the USD 10 million prize purse. As for the Race to Dubai, the winner will take home the coveted Harry Vardon Trophy and USD 2 million from a USD 6 million pool, with the remaining purse being split among the top 10 finishers.

(Main and featured image: DP World Tour Championship/Instagram)

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