The top 70 players on the DP World Tour roster head to the United Arab Emirates this week as the 2024 European circuit culminates in the final two events of the season – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour. Bravery.
This week the third stage of the DP World Tour season – the DP World Tour Play-Offs – begins with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Traditionally held in January, the race has moved to a new location in the program as part of the new Race to Dubai programme.
The top 70 players will meet at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi this week for the first of two new-look Play-Offs, with the top 50 advancing to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
RORY AGAIN?
With just two events to go in the campaign, Rory McIlroy arrives in the Middle East to match Seve Ballesteros' record of six Harry Vardon Cups. The reigning Race to Dubai champion opened his 2024 season with a second-place finish at the Dubai Invitational, before successfully defending the title at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
He then enjoyed strong performances in the first three Majors of the year, narrowly missing out on victory at the US Open. Back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship cemented him at the top of the season standings.
CHALLENGE HOST
His closest rival is South Africa's Thriston Lawrence, who trails by more than 1,500 points and comes in looking to challenge for the title as he prepares to earn dual membership status on the PGA Tour. Rasmus Højgaard is next, just under 2,000 points behind McIlroy in third place after claiming his fifth DP World Tour title at the Irish Open in September.
Statistically there are still 37 players in the running to win the Harry Vardon Trophy, but that all depends on McIlroy finishing last in Abu Dhabi and Dubai next week – which seems unlikely.
A host of talent has gathered in Abu Dhabi, with nine of the top 10 and 18 of the top 20 in the Race to Dubai making the first trip to the DP World Tour Play-Offs.
Along with McIlroy, there are a number of other names in the running including fellow major champions Adam Scott, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose, as well as Olympic silver medalist Tommy Fleetwood. Among the many other DP World Tour stars are Min Woo Lee, Bob MacIntyre and the Højgaard twins. Of the 39 players who have won the title in the 2024 Race to Dubai, 28 are holding it this week.
HARD TRACK
Designed by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2010, Yas Links is described by its creator as the first links golf course in the Middle East. The par 72 layout, which is 7,425 yards, played the tournament for the third time. Eight holes run along the coast, offering beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf. Although the course is considered very good, Tournament Director Miguel Vidaor says players will have to be careful to be too aggressive compared to the previous two editions.
“It's a lot wider on the yellow shots, but when you go to some of those critical areas it's a lot more punishing than before,” Vidaor said. “They will be a good test for these guys.”
TEE TIMES AND TV SCHEDULE
The first round in Abu Dhabi will start on Thursday at 4am UK time, with McIlroy coming out alongside his rivals Thriston Lawrence and Rasmus Højgaard at 4.23am, with Adam Scott, Tyrrell Hatton and Matteo Manassero in the three balls to be played. leave at 4.01am.
On Friday, viewers will be able to follow Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose and Niklas Nørgaard from 4.01am in the second round, while Tommy Fleetwood plays alongside Ryder Cup teammates Bob MacIntyre and Shane Lowry in action at 4.23 am GMT.
To check all tee times for the first round, click here.
Viewers can catch all the action live on Sky Sports Golf, with an evening highlights package available.
The DP World Tour offers free live streaming of all four rounds on its My Tour section. For more information and to register, click here.
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