The DP World Tour season reaches its peak this month with back-to-back events in the Middle East, but how do the Play-Offs work and who is in the running to win the Race to Dubai? We take a closer look at the players, the format and everything you need to know…

What are the DP World Tour Play-Offs?

Big changes to the DP World Tour calendar for the 2024 season have seen the introduction of a double play-off schedule to finish the campaign, with the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship moving from its traditional January slot to a new date of november.

Only the top 70 players available in the Race to Dubai season standings can start at Yas Links, before the top 50 then progress to the traditional end-of-season DP World Tour championship, which takes place in Dubai from 14 to November 17. .

Both tournaments are Rolex Series events, which offer larger prizes than regular DP World Tour tournaments and offer more Race to Dubai points.

Who is playing and how did they qualify?

DP World Tour members have been able to earn Race to Dubai points at all tournaments this season, with a total of 3,000 offered at early season events, 5,000 available at each of the “Back 9” – which have been taking place since the end of August – and 8,000 to be won in the first three Rolex Series events.

World number 3 Rory McIlroy leads a strong field for both events, with Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose also expected to compete in both tournaments.

Former world number 1 Adam Scott and the Hojgaard twins – Nicolai and Rasmus – are also in the field, although Ludvig Åberg and Jon Rahm are among the eligible players who have decided not to take part.

Who is the favorite to win the Race to Dubai?

McIlroy arrives in the Middle East with a considerable advantage in the season standings, having successfully defended his Hero Dubai Desert Classic title in January and added four more second-place finishes on the DP World Tour in 2024.

The Northern Irishman finished second at the Dubai Invitational, US Open, Amgen Irish Open and BMW PGA Championship, also finishing tied for fourth in his title defense at the Genesis Scottish Open, with McIlroy now on the point of winning the Race to Dubai for the second time. successive year.

McIlroy holds a 1,572.39 points advantage over his closest challenger Thriston Lawrence with just 3,500 points available over the two remaining events, leaving him poised to match Seve Ballesteros’ total of six Harry Vardon trophies and move closer two short of Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record.

Can anyone stop McIlroy?

A second place for McIlroy in Abu Dhabi would be enough to clinch the season title with a week to go, with the 35-year-old already assured of arriving in Dubai next week as season leader, regardless or his way of playing. performs at the final Rolex Series event.

There are currently 36 players who still have a mathematical chance of winning the Race to Dubai, although at least 20 of them require a victory in Abu Dhabi and McIlroy finishes last of the 70 players.

Lawrence and Hojgaard – 1,920 points behind – can both move closer to McIlroy with a strong performance, while Fleetwood, Matteo Manassero and MacIntyre, among the others, are still in contention to finish the season in first place.

BMW PGA Championship winner Billy Horschel does not feature in Abu Dhabi and is now out of contention, with players needing to stay within 2,000 points of McIlroy to enter the DP World Tour Championship with a chance of winning the Race to Dubai.

Victor Perez won the 2023 HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship but failed to qualify for this year’s contest, while reigning DP World Tour Championship winner Nicolai Hojgaard needs a good performance this week to qualify for his title defense later this month.

What is the prize money and what can players win?

A purse of $9 million (£6.9 million) is available in Abu Dhabi, with more than $1.5 million (£1.2 million) going to the winner, while the tournament offers 9 000 Race to Dubai points and gives players the chance to earn Ryder Cup qualifying points. .

Points on offer total 12,000 for the DP World Tour Championship, with players being awarded a share of points based on their finishing position. The total purse for Jumeirah Golf Estates is $10 million (£7.7 million), with $3 million (£2.3 million) going to the winner.

The top 10 players in the season standings at the end of both events are eligible for a share of a $6m (£4.6m) bonus, provided they have played at least four events of the DP World Tour outside of major tournaments. the top golfer raising $2 million (£1.6 million).

Is there anything else to gain?

The top 10 DP World Tour members in the final 2024 Race to Dubai standings – otherwise not exempt – will earn a PGA Tour card and have the opportunity to become dual members on both tours for the 2025 season.

DP World Tour Golf Live

Thursday November 14 at 7:00 a.m.

Lawerence and Hojgaard are all but assured of their positions in the top 10 while Matteo Manassero, Niklas Norgaard, Jesper Svensson and Rikuya Hoshino are next in line currently in line for a PGA Tour card.

England’s Jordan Smith and Italy’s Guido Migliozzi are also in the running for a card, while Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin and England’s Dan Bradbury are also in the running for a place.

How can I watch both events?

There will be extensive coverage of both events live on Sky Sports, with featured group coverage of the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship available from 4am across all four days. Full coverage then begins at 7 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 6:30 a.m. for the final round.

There will be at least six hours of live coverage of all four rounds of the DP World Tour Championship, starting at 7am on Thursday November 14, with the Sky Sports website and app offering a live blog and moments strong every day of the tournament.

Who will win the Race to Dubai? Watch the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship and DP World Tour Championship this month live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports