Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Rory McIlroy stands on the brink of another chapter in his storied career as the DP World Tour Championship tees off on Thursday at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where he bids for a record-equalling fourth consecutive Race to Dubai crown – and seventh overall.
The Northern Irishman, already the most decorated player of his generation on the European circuit, leads the season-long standings heading into the season finale. If he were to win again at this venue, it would see him overtake Seve Ballesteros (six) on the all-time Race to Dubai list, and be within touching distance of Colin Montgomerie's long-standing record of eight.
His nearest challenger is England's Marco Penge, whose remarkable rise this year has put him in contention to upstage McIlroy – if he can overcome a bout of illness that has hampered his preparation this week.
"It means a lot to me," McIlroy said ahead of the tournament. "These are the people I grew up idolising. I remember my mum and dad bringing me to Wentworth for the World Match Play, the first time I saw Seve in the flesh. Just the names that are synonymous with European golf and doing great things for this tour – to be up there alongside them is something that I'm really proud of."
The defending champion at the Earth Course leads the Race to Dubai with a total of 4,640.06 points from 10 events. There are only two players who could potentially stand in the way. Three-time winner Marco Penge, and fellow Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton, who are both searching for their first Race to Dubai titles.
Penge has played a whopping 25 events this year, after barely managing to retain his card in the final counting event of the regular season in South Korea last year. Penge became the first three-time winner this season with victories at the Hainan Classic, Danish Golf Championship and last month's Open de Espana presented by Madrid.
He is McIlroy's main contender on 3,873.04 points and has three different roads to Race to Dubai victory – but they all include him finishing tied-second or better. Similarly Hatton, who sits on 2,919.18 points, returns to Dubai having claimed the first Rolex Series title of the year at the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
McIlroy, who has already wrapped up the Race to Dubai before the final week in previous years, admitted this time feels different. "It would be lovely if – the last couple of times I've wrapped up here, I've pretty much had it in the bag and could just focus on trying to win the tournament," he said.
"This week I've got one eye on trying to win the tournament but another on making sure I keep Marco at bay. He's had an amazing year, winning three times. He looks really good, doesn't have a ton of weaknesses, and definitely has a strong future."
Penge, 27, who won three titles this season after saving his card just a year ago, was battling flu-like symptoms in the lead-up to the finale. "I've been in bed the last two days," he conceded. "I really wanted to play in the Pro-Am yesterday but had to see the doctor and was sent home to rest. Regardless of how I feel, I was always going to be there on Thursday – obviously I'm playing with Rory in the final event."
Despite his condition, Penge insisted he will savour the moment. "I'm just enjoying it," he said. "Didn't do a lot of work the last couple of days, so just happy to be sitting here and lucky to have a day of prep before tomorrow. I'm looking forward to playing with Rory and hopefully putting on a good show."
McIlroy's week also carried a note of personal significance, with the DP World Tour announcing the creation of the "Rory McIlroy Award", which will honour the best-performing player across the four major championships each year.
"It's a big honour," he said. "I think it's a great idea to award the player who performs best in the majors. It's a huge honour, and I can't wait to hand that award out next year."
