All eyes on Abu Dhabi as McIlroy targets Race to Dubai repeat – Golf News

The top 70 available players on the DP World Tour rankings are heading out to the United Arab Emirates this week as the European circuit’s 2024 schedule comes to a climax at the final two events of the season – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship.

This week sees phase three of the DP World Tour season – the DP World Tour Play-Offs – begin with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Traditionally held in January, the tournament has moved to a new slot in the schedule as part of a new initiative on the Race to Dubai.

The top 70 players will tee it up at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi this week for the first of two new-look season-ending Play-Offs, with the top 50 then advancing to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

RORY REPEAT?

With just two events to go in the campaign, Rory McIlroy arrives in the Middle East on course to equal Seve Ballesteros’ record of six Harry Vardon trophies. The reigning Race to Dubai champion opened his 2024 season with a runner-up finish at the Dubai Invitational, before a successful title defence at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

He then enjoyed strong performances at the first three men’s Majors of the year, narrowly missing out on victory at the US Open. Back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship then cemented him at the summit of the season-long standings.

HOST OF CHALLENGERS

His nearest challenger is South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who trails by more than 1,500 points and arrives looking to mount a title challenge as he prepares to earn dual membership status with the PGA Tour. Rasmus Højgaard is next, just under 2,000 points adrift of McIlroy in third after earning his fifth DP World Tour title at the Irish Open in September.

Statistically there are still 37 players in with a chance of winning the Harry Vardon Trophy, but all that is based on McIlroy finishing last in Abu Dhabi and Dubai next week – which seems somewhat unlikely.

A stellar line-up of talent has assembled in Abu Dhabi, with nine of the top ten and 18 of the top 20 on the Race to Dubai making the trip for the start of the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

Along with McIlroy, there are a host of other headline names in action including fellow Major champions Adam Scott, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose, along with Olympic Silver Medallist Tommy Fleetwood. Among a host of other DP World Tour stars are Min Woo Lee, Bob MacIntyre and the Højgaard twins. Of the 39 players to win a title on the 2024 Race to Dubai, 28 are teeing it up this week.

TOUGH TRACK

Designed by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2010, Yas Links has been described by its creator as the first true links golf course in the Middle East. The par 72 layout, measuring 7,425 yards, staged the tournament for the third time in. Eight of the holes run along the coastline, providing wonderful views of the Arabian Gulf. While the course is regarded as being generous off the tee, Tournament Director Miguel Vidaor says players will have to be wary of being too aggressive with the rough longer than for the past two editions.

“It’s quite wide for the tee shots, but if you go in some of those areas in the rough then it is much more punishing than it has ever been,” Vidaor said. “They are going to be a great test for these guys.”

TEE TIMES & TV SCHEDULE

First round action in Abu Dhabi gets under way on Thursday at 4am UK time, with McIlroy teeing off alongside title rivals Thriston Lawrence and Rasmus Højgaard at 4.23am, while Adam Scott, Tyrrell Hatton and Matteo Manassero in a three-ball that is due to go out at 4.01am.

On Friday, viewers will be able to follow Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose and Niklas Nørgaard from 4.01am in the second round, while Tommy Fleetwood is playing alongside Ryder Cup team-mates Bob MacIntyre and Shane Lowry in a game at 4.23am GMT.

To check out all the tee times for the first round, click here.

Viewers can catch all the action live on Sky Sports Golf, with a highlights package available in the evening.

The DP World Tour is also offering a free live stream for all four rounds on its My Tour section. To find out more and to register, click here.