How Does Race to Dubai Work?

By Alice Nichols

How Does Race to Dubai Work?

The Race to Dubai is a season-long competition on the European Tour that determines the best-performing golfer over the course of a year. It is one of the most prestigious titles in professional golf and attracts top players from around the world.

The Format

The Race to Dubai is based on a points system, with players earning points for their performance in tournaments throughout the season. The number of points awarded depends on the prize money available in each tournament, with bigger events offering more points.

At the end of the season, the player with the most points is crowned the winner of the Race to Dubai. This player receives a substantial bonus pool, which adds an extra incentive for golfers to perform well throughout the year.

Tournaments

The Race to Dubai consists of a series of tournaments that take place across different countries and continents. These tournaments are divided into several categories:

  • Rolled-Up Events: These are some of the biggest events on the European Tour calendar, such as major championships or flagship tournaments like The Open Championship or BMW PGA Championship. They offer a significant number of points and attract strong fields.
  • Rolex Series: This category includes eight high-profile events that offer increased prize money and more ranking points.

    Examples include the Irish Open, Scottish Open, and Italian Open.

  • Regular Events: These are standard European Tour events that make up the majority of tournaments on the schedule. While they offer fewer ranking points than Rolled-Up or Rolex Series events, they still contribute to a player’s overall standing in the Race to Dubai.

In addition to these categories, there are also events on other tours that are co-sanctioned by the European Tour. These events offer players the opportunity to earn Race to Dubai points while competing against players from other tours.

Rolling Rankings

The Race to Dubai operates on a rolling ranking system, which means that points earned in tournaments throughout the season are continually updated and contribute to a player’s overall standing. This ensures that performances earlier in the year still have an impact on a player’s chances of winning the Race to Dubai.

As the season progresses and more tournaments are played, players’ positions in the Race to Dubai rankings can change dramatically. A strong finish in a high-profile event can propel a player up the standings, while a poor performance can see them drop down.

Conclusion

The Race to Dubai is an exciting competition that showcases the best golfers in Europe and beyond. With its points-based system, diverse range of tournaments, and rolling rankings, it provides a thrilling battle for supremacy throughout the season. So keep an eye on the leaderboard as players vie for the prestigious title of Race to Dubai champion!