Q. Before we talk about winning The Race to Dubai again, let’s talk about today and the events that unfolded, eagling the last, again. Tell us about today from your point of view?

Yeah, got off to the perfect start. 3-under through five, 4-under through seven. Felt like I had sort of taken control of the golf tournament. Was a couple ahead.

Then, yeah, I made two bogeys on the way in on 12 and 16 and didn’t birdie 14 and 15, the birdie holes. Obviously knew I needed something to happen on the last. I actually hit a great shot on 17, ended up a little short. Hit a great putt that lipped-out.

On the last, I knew what I had to do. I hit a great 5-wood. Lucky to see Rasmus’s putt before mine. His hung out a little bit before it started to turn, so got a read from him. It was a great way to finish, making the playoff.

But unfortunately hit it in the water there on 18 in the playoff. Just sort of put me behind the 8-ball. But happy for Matt. He’s had a great end of the season. Played great to get on the Ryder Cup Team, and then he sort of kept it going since, so really happy for him as well.

Last year you equaled Severiano Ballesteros’s Race to Dubai titles, and this year you surpassed him. Tell us how it feels to surpass his title.

I had a course with his wife, Carmen, before I went out to play today, and she told me how proud he would have been. You know, I said this on this green last year, he means so much to this tour and to the European Ryder Cup Team. We rally so much around his spirit and his quotes and everything he meant for European golf.

To equal him last year was cool but to surpass him this year, yeah, I didn’t get this far in my dreams, so it’s very cool.

Now just one behind Colin Montgomerie’s 8th record title. You don’t need it, but how much do you want it?

I want it, of course I do. I caught up with Monty this week when he was here a couple days ago and I saw him. Look, it seems within touching distance now. I’d love to be the winningest European in terms of Order of Merits and season-long races.

You know, I’ve probably got a few more good years left in me, and hopefully I can catch him and surpass him.

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Event Snapshot

Dates: 13 – 16 November 2025.

Venue: Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE.

Format: The season-ending limited field, featuring the best performers of the year.

Significance: The climax of the season and the final chapter of the “Race to Dubai”.

Why This One Matters

It marks the culmination of the tour’s season, with players competing not only for the trophy but for final honours and standings. The prestige of the tournament is enhanced by its place as the closing act.

The course itself — designed by Greg Norman — challenges the world’s best with length, strategy, and premium setup.

Every shot could make a difference: swings in momentum, season standings, and legacy are all in play.

Key Players & Storylines

Rory McIlroy is one to watch, having led the Race to Dubai standings coming into this event and looking to make a statement.

Rising challengers and seasoned contenders alike: Expect names like Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and others to push hard.

With so much on the line, season titles, ranking points, pride — the atmosphere is charged and the stakes are high.

Course Watchpoints

Length and layout: The Earth Course demands precision, especially around the greens and in tee-shots where missteps are costly.

Strategy: Players will need to balance bold aggression with smart course management. Late-season fatigue may also play a role.

Weather/Condition: Dubai in mid-November can provide firm fairways and quick greens — scoring could go low, but only if handled with composure.

LATEST ODDS

Here are the latest odds with Betway

What the Odds Tell Us

McIlroy is the clear favourite: He’s entering in strong form and has the pedigree in this event to back him as the leading contender.

Fleetwood is a solid second pick: His consistency and past performances make him someone to watch.

Value plays: Players like Hatton, Åberg, or even Penge offer good value if you believe in a surprise or a tight finish.

Why These Odds Matter This Week

The Race to Dubai is still on the line for some top players — everything isn’t just about the trophy, but also about season rankings.

The Earth Course demands strategic iron play and good approach-shot execution. Betting markets seem to reward those who are strong in those areas.

With no cut, even long‐shots have a shot at making a late charge, which could influence betting behaviour and potential payoffs.

What to Keep an Eye On

Opening rounds: A fast start will set the tone. In a condensed field, early momentum pays off.

Back-nine on Sunday: Historically where champions emerge or fall apart, pressure builds.

Season stakes beyond the trophy: The Race to Dubai leaderboard, end-of-season bonuses, and standings will influence mindsets.

Head-to-head battles: Top players in contention make each pairing meaningful.

Course conditions: With top players teeing off early, adapting to conditions quickly will be key.

For further odds visit Betway

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The pair produced another tight final round encounter at Jumeirah Golf Estates following their back nine battle at he Irish Open in September.

It was Højgaard who came out on top on that occasion, but McIlroy took the spoils this time, pulling clear with a magnificent approach to set up a tap in birdie on 16 and finishing his season with a closing birdie on 18.

McIlroy’s three under par final round 69 clinched his third victory in the DP World Tour Championship, having previously won the title in 2012 and 2015.

On both those occasions he also won the Race to Dubai crown and he finished the season as the DP World Tour’s no.1 player for a sixth time overall, matching the feat of the Seve Ballesteros, with Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight now in his sights.

South African Thriston Lawrence was the only player at the start of the week who could have prevented McIlroy from winning the Race to Dubai, but he finished the tournament in a share of 30th place on one under par, 14 shots behind McIlroy winning total of 15 under.

Instead, McIlroy’s main challenge came in the tournament from Højgaard, who was attempting to follow in the footsteps of his twin brother Nicolai, who won the DP World Tour Championship 12 months ago.

After bogeying the first hole, Højgaard birdied the second and seventh holes and joined McIlroy at the top of the leaderboard when the man from Northern Ireland dropped shots on the ninth and 13th holes.

While McIlroy birdied two of the final three holes, Højgaard could not pick up any further shots on the way in, closing out his round of 71 with 11 straight pars to finish runner up on 13 under par. That was enough to move him past Lawrence into second place in the final Race to Dubai rankings though, meaning he claimed the first of the ten PGA TOUR cards on offer, having missed out by one spot last year.

FITTING END TO THE SEASON

For McIlroy though, it was a fitting way to end a season during which he has won four times worldwide, including twice on the DP World Tour in Dubai, having also triumphed in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January.

The four-time Major Champion’s consistency this season is underlined by his record of eight top-five finishes in 12 DP World Tour appearances in 2024, finishing runner four times, in the Dubai Invitational, US Open, Amgen Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship.

McIlroy said: “It means a lot. I’ve been through a lot this year professionally and personally. It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I’ve persevered this year. I’ve had close calls and wasn’t able to get it done at a number of big tournaments, so to be able to get this one over the line is hugely important.”

“It’s really cool to win a sixth Race to Dubai title. I think everyone knows what Seve means to European golf and to Ryder Cup players. In the European Ryder Cup locker room, all we have are quotes of Seve. We had a changing room with Seve’s shirt from ’95, the last Ryder Cup he played. He means so much to European golf and for me to be mentioned in the same breath, I’m very proud.”

10 PLAYERS EARN PGA TOUR CARDS

In addition to Hojgaard, the other nine players to secure dual membership on the PGA TOUR were Thriston Lawrence (third on the Race to Dubai), Paul Waring (fifth), Jesper Svensson (10th), Niklas Norgaard (11th), Matteo Manassero (12th), Thorbjørn Olesen (13th), Antoine Rozner (15th), Rikyua Hoshino (16th) and Tom McKibbin (18th).

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The world no.3 is all but guaranteed seal a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career tomorrow and is also chasing a third title on the Earth course.

The Northern Irishman began the day one shot behind overnight leader Rozner, but it was Højgaard who surged clear at the top after four straight birdies from the second.

The Dane climbed to 12 under to move three clear at the eighth, however, McIlroy carded four birdies in a six-hole stretch from the seventh to sit alongside Højgaard at the summit.

Both players missed chances to nudge in front and could not be separated as they parred their way home, with Rozner carding an eagle at the last to make it a three-way tie at the top ahead of the final round of the 2024 DP World Tour campaign.

Victory for Rozner could also see the Frenchman climb as high as second on the Race to Dubai and secure dual membership with the PGA TOUR for 2025.

Joaquin Niemann mixed five birdies and two bogeys and Swede Jesper Svensson was flawless in his 68 to sit in fourth at ten under, while Tyrrell Hatton is one shot further back in sixth.

Disappointing finish

McIlroy said: “After the birdie on 12, I had a good chance to push on. I hit a really good shot into 13 and just caught the edge. And then 14 and 15 are birdie holes, and not being able to birdie either of those, and only with a six-iron in my hand going into the last green and not making birdie there was not what I was hoping for.

“I’m  disappointed with how I played those last five holes, but I’m still obviously in a really good position heading into tomorrow.

“It’s a great opportunity to end the year on a really high note. I’ll go out there tomorrow and give it everything I can and hopefully things fall my way and I’m able to stand on that 18th green with both trophies.

“I’ve been able to do it twice before. So to do it again would be great.”

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The 25-year-old Spaniard held off a determined late charge from Tommy Fleetwood to seal his second DP World Tour Championship title in three years and his fourth Rolex Series victory.

Rahm went into the final round in a share of the lead with Frenchman Mike Lorenzo Vera, but he pulled six shots clear after seven holes. Rahm dropped consecutive shots on the eighth and ninth holes and his lead was further eroded on the back nine as Fleetwood finished with five birdies in his final seven holes to sign for a 65 and set the target of 18 under par.

That meant Rahm, who had posted two birdies and two bogeys after the turn, then had to birdie the last hole for victory to avoid a winner-takes-all play-off with Fleetwood to decide both the tournament and the Race to Dubai. He duly held his nerve with a superb bunker shot to four feet before rolling in the putt for a 68 to finish on 19 under par and claim the €3 million first prize.

Rahm has now won six times in 40 European Tour appearances – two DP World Tour Championships, two Irish Opens and two Spanish Opens – achieving that milestone in 15 fewer events than his legendary compatriot, the late Seve Ballesteros.

Rahm, who moved to world no.3 with the win, said: “Man, you dream of making birdies on 18 to win a tournament. And how I was playing early on, I was hoping not to need that, but it happened, and I came through when I needed it and really proud of myself for that.

“I’ve thought about winning the Race to Dubai all week. I’ve thought about it the last two hours. I’ve thought about it as soon as I made the putt. But it still hasn’t processed in my mind. It’s a thought in there, but it still has not been internalised.”

Runner-up Fleetwood, who also finished second in the Race to Dubai rankings, said: “I couldn’t have done much more. I’m really proud of the way I played the last few holes. Proud of the end of the season, and these two weeks make the season just seem in a different light than it did would weeks before we started.

“Fair play to Jon. That’s a cracking birdie down the last when you have to make it. There’s always going to be a little bit of disappointment there, but for the most part, I got myself back in it, and I am very proud of the way I played on that back nine. You know, it’s Jon’s time, Jon’s moment, he’s played unbelievably well this year.”

Rory McIlroy, who wasn’t qualified to win the Race to Dubai, could not replicate the fireworks of his third round 65, as he closed with 73 to finish seven strokes back in fourth place on 12 under par, with defending champion Danny Willett a further shot back in fifth after a 69.

Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, who had led the Race to Dubai going into the season finale, posted a round of 72 to finish in tied 28th on two under par. He slipped to third position in the final rankings, with Shane Lowry and Matt Fitzpatrick completing the Race to Dubai top five, each earning a share of the $5 million bonus pool.

Final round scores

269 J Rahm  66 69 66 68

270 T Fleetwood  67 68 70 65

271 M Lorenzo-Vera  63 69 69 70

276 R McIlroy 64 74 65 73

277 D Willett  69 72 67 69,

278 T Lewis (Eng) 67 70 73 68, T Pieters  (Bel) 70 68 68 72, S Garcia  (Esp) 71 73 67 67,

279 M Fitzpatrick  (Eng) 71 71 68 69,

280 A Sullivan (Eng) 70 74 67 69, J Scrivener (Aus) 71 72 72 65,

281 S Lowry  (Irl) 73 68 70 70, C Bezuidenhout (RSA) 71 67 70 73,

282 R Macintyre  (Sco) 71 74 68 69, P Waring  (Eng) 71 77 68 66,

283 G Migliozzi  (Ita) 73 70 68 72, M Kinhult (Swe) 68 71 68 76,

284 J Campillo (Esp) 73 72 69 70, P Casey  (Eng) 73 73 66 72,

285 R Sterne  (RSA) 71 72 71 71, J Luiten (Ned) 74 71 68 72, D Lipsky (USA) 72 71 71 71, J Rose (Eng) 69 70 73 73, V Perez (Fra) 73 73 72 67, L Oosthuizen  (RSA) 70 70 73 72, R Cabrera Bello (Esp) 68 73 74 70, M Schwab  (Aut) 69 73 70 73,

286 M Korhonen (Fin) 72 76 70 68, M Southgate  (Eng) 75 71 70 70, M Wallace (Eng) 70 74 69 73, E Van Rooyen (RSA) 71 72 73 70, T Detry  (Bel) 69 71 71 75, A Arnaus (Esp) 70 70 72 74, P Reed (USA) 74 68 72 72, B Wiesberger  (Aut) 70 71 73 72,

287 J Harding  (RSA) 73 73 70 71, J Hansen  (Den) 74 73 68 72,

288 L Westwood (Eng) 73 70 74 71, B Hebert  (Fra) 70 74 73 71,

289 F Molinari (Ita) 69 76 71 73, R Langasque  (Fra) 71 74 71 73, A Rai (Eng) 75 69 76 69,

290 H Li  (Chn) 69 77 74 70,

291 I Poulter (Eng) 74 76 70 71, H Stenson (Swe) 74 70 77 70,

292 T Hatton (Eng) 73 79 69 71,

293 J Smith (Eng) 74 73 70 76,

296 K Kitayama (USA) 71 75 77 73,

297 S Hend (Aus) 76 75 73 73, A Pavan (Ita) 77 74 71 75

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The Rolex Series returns for its fourth consecutive year, beginning with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA (January 16-19) followed by the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open (May 28-31), and the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open (July 9-12), before the BMW PGA Championship (September 10-13) and the Italian Open (October  8-11) take place a fortnight either side of The Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

The season then concludes with three consecutive Rolex Series events; the Turkish Airlines Open (November 5-8), the Nedbank Golf Challenge Hosted by Gary Player (November 12-15) and the season-finale, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (November 19-22) where the 2020 Race to Dubai champion will be crowned.

There are several date changes elsewhere on the 2020 schedule, including the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation, which moves to April 30-May 3. The tournament at Real Club Valderrama launches phase two of the qualification campaign for Europe’s 2020 Ryder Cup team, with points earned in Spain and at subsequent counting events through to the end of the BMW PGA Championship multiplied by 1.5.

Other dates changes include the Trophée Hassan II and Scandinavian Invitation, both of which move to the start of June, taking place from June 4-7 and June 11-14 respectively. The Open de France moves back to its previous date of July 2-5, while the Betfred British Masters takes place from July 30-August 2, with Lee Westwood returning as host at Close House Golf Club.

The Betfred British Masters will be immediately followed by a new event in the UK from August 6-9, which is set to be announced later this year.

In addition to the Race to Dubai events, GolfSixes Cascais (May 9-10) returns for the fourth consecutive year and the Olympic Games men’s golf competition takes place in Tokyo from July 30- August 2, before Team Europe travels to Whistling Straits in Wisconsin to defend the Ryder Cup from September 25-27.

 click here to download the 2020 European Tour International Schedule.

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Willett, whose last win came at the Masters in 2016, made three birdies in his last five holes to get to 18 under par and finish two shots clear of fellow Englishman Matt Wallace and reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed, who took second place in the Race to Dubai rankings behind Francesco Molinari.

Willett made his major breakthrough at Augusta over two-and-a-half years ago, but when he arrived this week in Dubai that remained his last win after battling with injury and a dramatic loss of form. He missed five of his first seven cuts this season, but a tie for eighth at the Italian Open ignited his campaign and two more Rolex Series top tens followed before he claimed his sixth European Tour title number six on the Earth Course with a final round 68.

Willett, who moved comfortably back into the world’s top 100 with the victory, said: “I’m pleased to have won the tournaments that I’ve won over the last few years, and obviously Augusta is always going to be special, but this win, coming on the back of everything that has happened this year, is the most pleasing from my point of view. I’ve not been in a position to challenge for a title for a long time, so to finish off those last five or six holes in the manner that I did is very satisfying.”

He added: “At the back end of 2016, I picked up a couple of bad injuries, just as I was in prime position to win the Race to Dubai. For a long time after that my game wasn’t in a good place, and I didn’t really want to play golf. I just wasn’t enjoying what I was doing, and I was in pain. Regardless of what would happened today, I’m now in a much better place than where I was. I knew that things were going the right way, and I was doing all the work possible to give myself chances to do this.”

The tournament also saw Francesco Molinari wrap up the Race to Dubai title and be crowned European number one. After a stellar season that included a first major title at the Open, a Rolex Series victory at the BMW PGA Championship, and a record-breaking five points from five at the Ryder Cup in Paris, the 36-year-old Italian entered the final week of the season knowing that only a win by closest rival and great friend Tommy Fleetwood could deny him the money list title. Despite finishing 12 shots off the lead, Fleetwood’s tie for 16th meant that Italy had its first European No.1.

Molinari said: “I’m relieved more than anything, to be honest. Clearly, I wasn’t bursting with energy over the last few days, but I did what I could, and luckily it was good enough. I’m really incredibly proud to know that my name is going to be on that trophy with some incredible names.”

He added: “I can’t wait to go back and sit down and really relive the last few months. I’m not very proud of this week for the way I played, but obviously I will remember winning the Race to Dubai for a long time. It’s just an incredible achievement. If I think back to where I was before Wentworth this year, if someone told me I would go on to win there, win on the PGA Tour, win The Open, and get five points at the Ryder Cup, I probably would have laughed. It doesn’t sound real, but it’s happened, so evidently I’ve done something right.”

Photo credit: Getty Images

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