After 37 regular tournaments and four majors, not to mention an unforgettable Ryder Cup, the DP World Tour season reaches its climax this week at the DP World Tour Championship.
It has been another extraordinary year but some things remain the same – Rory McIlroy will be looking to claim the Race to Dubai title for the seventh time in his career, just one behind the record eight claimed by Colin Montgomerie. It is an extraordinary achievement when you consider that he spends most of his time playing on the PGA Tour.
This, of course, has been a year the Northern Irishman will never forget. It began with him winning the AT&T Pebble Back Pro-Am. He then saw off a spirited challenge from JJ Spaun to claim the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass before his crowning glory – winning The Masters at Augusta to finally secure a long-awaited Green Jacket and the career grand slam.
He also finished tied second at the Scottish Open, tied fourth at the Dubai Desert Classic and won the Irish Open in dramatic fashion to secure his 20th DP World Tour title. Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Championship he had made 261 starts. Apart from his 20 victories, he has finished second 28 times and third on 21 occasions. It is a remarkable record. His career earnings on the DP World Tour alone stand at more than 66m euros.
And he is the defending champion this week. McIlroy started the final round last year tied for the lead and turned a two-stroke deficit into a three-shot advantage, following a brilliant burst of four consecutive birdies around the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Two bogeys in a five-hole stretch around the turn saw McIlroy slip back tied for the lead alongside playing partner Rasmus Hojgaard, before two birdies in the last three holes closed a three-under 69 and completed an impressive victory.
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
European Ryder Cup heroes Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Ludvig Aberg will all hope to have something to say about the outcome.
The trio will be joined by Dubai residents Laurie Canter and Richard Mansell along with Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rasmus Hojgaard, Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose – all part of Europe’s triumphant 2025 Ryder Cup team that claimed a first away victory since 2012 – and 2023 champion Nicolai Hojgaard.
Dubai-based Fleetwood has enjoyed a superb 2025 campaign, capturing both his maiden PGA Tour title and the FedExCup at the Tour Championship before starring at Bethpage Black with four match wins to help Europe become the first away team to win a Ryder Cup since 2012.
Just weeks after his heroics in New York, he captured an eighth DP World Tour victory with victory at the DP World India Championship, beating Keita Nakajima by two strokes at Delhi Golf Club, and then lost the Abu Dhabi Championship to Aaron Rai in a playoff.
“The Earth Course has been my home course for the last three years, so it’s always special to play the DP World Tour Championship somewhere that feels so familiar,” said Fleetwood, who has lived in Dubai since 2022.
“It’s a great test of golf, and the atmosphere is always incredible. I’ve had some fantastic memories in Dubai over the years, and finishing the season in front of family and friends gives me that extra bit of motivation to finish strong.”
Lowry sparked emotional scenes at Bethpage Black as the Irishman secured the vital half-point to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe on a tense Sunday singles session.
After finishing third at last year’s DP World Tour Championship, the 38-year-old returns seeking his seventh DP World Tour title and a second UAE victory following his 2019 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship triumph, months before he won the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Aberg, who finished seventh at The Masters earlier this year following his runner-up finish on debut last year, was another key member of Luke Donald’s winning European Ryder Cup teams in both 2023 and 2025.
The 25-year-old will make his DP World Tour Championship debut, having firmly established himself as one of the game’s brightest young stars after turning professional in 2023.
“Dubai has always been a great place to play golf and I’m really looking forward to being back at Jumeirah Golf Estates,” said Lowry.
“The DP World Tour Championship is the perfect way to finish our season, and I’ll be giving it everything to finish the year on a high.”
Aberg added: “I’m really looking forward to making my DP World Tour Championship debut. I’ve heard great things about the Earth course from the other guys, so I’m excited about ending the season in Dubai.”
Joining them will be Canter and Mansell, who have both enjoyed victories on the Race to Dubai this season.
Canter secured his second DP World Tour title earlier in the year with a win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, and arrives in fine form following a tied-second finish at the Genesis Championship – where he eagled the final hole with a remarkable 100-foot putt to finish at eight under alongside Nacho Elvira. Mansell, meanwhile, captured his maiden DP World Tour title at the Porsche Singapore Classic in March.
“Having won in Bahrain earlier this year and now calling Dubai home, I feel in a great place and like things have really come together nicely,” said Canter.
Mansell added: “I always enjoy playing here in Dubai – it really feels like a home event for me. Jumeirah Golf Estates is always a fantastic venue, and I’m excited to finish my 2025 season here and carry that momentum into next year.”
Tournament Winners:
It was won in 2015 and last year by Rory McIlroy, in 2016 and 2020 by Matthew Fitzpatrick, in 2017, 2019 and 2022 by Jon Rahm, in 2018 by Danny Willett, in 2021 by Collin Morikawa and in 2023 by Nicolai Hojgaard.
The Course:
The Earth Course has been carved out of the desert and is a par 72 measuring 7,605 yards. It features plenty of sand, many water hazards, large undulating greens and many strategically-placed trees.
Form Guide:
Rory McIlroy loves this part of the world. He has won four times in 2025 and will want to secure his seventh Race to Dubai title in style.
Prize Money:
The prize purse at the DP World Tour Championship is $10m, with the winner banking $3m and 12,000 points up for grabs. The leading 10 players in the Race to Dubai Rankings will earn a share of $6 million from a bonus pool.
How You Can Watch:
Thursday, November 13-Saturday, November 15, Sky Sports Golf 7am, Sunday, November 16, Sky Sports Golf, 6.30am.
To Win:
Rory McIlroy. Will relish the challenge
Each Way:
Marco Penge. Season to remember
Each Way:
Tommy Fleetwood. His favourite part of the world
Five to Follow:
Rory McIlroy. If he drives well he is almost impossible to beat
Marco Penge. Thrilling to watch
Tommy Fleetwood. Always there or thereabouts
Aaron Rai. In form of his life
Robert MacIntyre. Truly world class
Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
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