Rory McIlroy highlights appreciation towards what Dubai has done for the world of golf

World number 21, Billy Horschel, speaks on what the Race to Dubai means to him

The top-50 players on the Race to Dubai rankings prepare to battle it out for the USD $9million prize pot

Set to take place on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from 18th to 21st November

The top-50 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings have descended on Dubai ahead of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

The stage is set on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates for the final Rolex Series event of 2021. The players will compete for the USD $9million prize pot and the European Number One crown, with play getting underway this Thursday through to Sunday 21st November.

Earlier today, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy celebrated Dubai and its commitment to the development of golf over the last ten years, stating, “Dubai has been the cornerstone of the European Tour since 2009, since the Race to Dubai started which was my second year on Tour. They have done a massive investment in golf in the last few years and now DP World has come on board to be the main sponsor of on Tour which I think is wonderful news. It solidifies the Tour’s future for a long time.”

McIlroy added, “All the players owe this region a lot, especially Dubai, a debt of gratitude as they’ve invested so heavily in our game and that we have all benefitted from it.”

The four-time major winner’s comments come following the European Tour announced it would be renamed to the DP World Tour from 2022, following a significant commitment from the Emirati multinational logistics company. The DP World Tour’s total purse will exceed $200 million over the season, for the first time.

World number 21, Billy Horschel, also commented on what it means to him to be playing in Dubai. The American said, “Growing up in the States, all I thought about was winning on the PGA Tour, winning majors and being the Player of the Year. I did grow up watching a lot of European Tour coverage, but I never envisioned myself playing over here or having the success I had.

“To be in this spot where I am now, I have used the last couple of months to sit back and picture the whole thing and understand what is in front of me. I think in this point of my career, it’s the best year I’ve had in my career”

Horschel continued, “This year I have been pretty consistent and won two big tournaments in WGC Match Play and BMW PGA Championship and to add possibly the Race to Dubai and become the first American to win the Order of Merit would obviously by far be the best of my career…there is a lot on the line this week and we will see how it all plays out.”

Other players teeing it up this week in the hopes of winning both the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai are defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick, two-time major winner Collin Morikawa, Ryder Cup legends Tommy Fleetwood and Ian Poulter, who is also a global ambassador for DP World.

Combining world-class golf with incredible entertainment, fans attending this year’s event can look forward to more variety across the village, hospitality, and on-course than ever before, with something for every eventgoer to enjoy.

For the first time, Atlantis are bringing a taste of the iconic entertainment resort to Jumeirah Golf Estates with mini-golf, bowling, arcade games, bouncy castle, and more. Ladies attending the event on Friday 19th November, the first Ladies Day of the DP World Tour Championship, can look forward to receiving two free drink vouchers, free golf clinics, spa vouchers, and fantastic prizes up for grabs in the ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best Selfie’ competitions.

Free general admission tickets are available here for spectators to watch some of the world’s best golfers compete to stamp their ticket to the season-ending event. Fans attending can enjoy the golf alongside a variety of food and beverage offerings in the tournament village and on-course.