The Race to Dubai is a season-long competition on the European Tour that determines the best player in a given year. It is similar to the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour in the United States. The tournament series consists of various events held throughout the year, and players earn points based on their performances in these events.
How Does the Race to Dubai Work?
At each tournament, players receive points based on their finishing position and the prize money earned. The higher they finish and the more money they earn, the more points they receive. These points accumulate over the course of the season, with different tournaments offering different point values.
The Race to Dubai officially begins at the start of each European Tour season and concludes with a grand finale known as the DP World Tour Championship. This tournament is typically held in November and features a limited field consisting of only the top players in the Race to Dubai standings.
Race to Dubai Rankings
The Race to Dubai rankings are updated after each event, allowing players and fans to track their progress throughout the season. These rankings provide an indication of who is leading in terms of points earned and who has a chance at winning the overall title.
Players who perform consistently well throughout the season have a better chance of securing their position at or near the top of these rankings. However, a strong performance at one or two key tournaments can also significantly impact a player’s standing.
Key Tournaments
Several tournaments carry significant weight in determining a player’s ranking in the Race to Dubai standings:
- The Masters: The first major championship of each year offers valuable points for European Tour players.
- The Open Championship: The oldest major championship provides an opportunity for players to earn crucial points.
- The BMW PGA Championship: This flagship event on the European Tour carries a high point value and is often a turning point in the Race to Dubai.
Race to Dubai Winner
The player who accumulates the most points throughout the season is crowned the Race to Dubai winner. This prestigious title is highly sought after by professional golfers and is a testament to their consistency and performance over the course of the year.
The Race to Dubai winner receives various honors, including exemption into major championships and World Golf Championships events for the following year. They are also awarded a substantial bonus pool based on their final standing in the rankings.
Previous Winners
Since its inception in 2009, several notable golfers have emerged as winners of the Race to Dubai:
- Lee Westwood: The Englishman has won the title twice, in 2009 and 2020.
- Rory McIlroy: The Northern Irishman has been a dominant force, winning four times (2012, 2014, 2015, and 2019).
- Henrik Stenson: The Swede claimed victory in 2013 after an exceptional season that included winning both The Open Championship and the DP World Tour Championship.
The Race to Dubai adds an extra layer of excitement and competition to the European Tour. It rewards consistent performance while also allowing for thrilling comebacks and upsets. As fans, we get to witness golfers battling it out week after week for the chance to be crowned Europe’s best player of the year.