By Mathieu Wood
This article was originally published on November 1, 2024 and has since been updated following the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The DP World Tour's 13-month global odyssey reaches a climax with the brand-new DP World Tour Play-Offs.
The third and final distinct phase in the 2024 Race to Dubai comprises of the concluding two Rolex Series events of the season, held in the United Arab Emirates.
Showcasing the Tour’s leading players and innovation, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai are sure to provide a fitting finale to a memorable campaign.
Who is involved, what is at stake and how to watch. Here, we explain all...
What are the DP World Tour Play-Offs?
Introduced as part of a new-look schedule, the DP World Tour Play-Offs are the final sprint of the 2024 Race to Dubai.
After the top 70 available players on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex contested the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the top 50 available players after now set for the season finale at the DP World Tour Championship.
There were an elevated 9,000 Race to Dubai Ranking Points on offer at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and 12,000 available at the DP World Tour Championship, with players awarded a share of the points based on their finishing position in the tournament.
When are the DP World Tour Play-Offs?
Starting in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship opened the DP World Tour Play-Offs from Thursday, November 7th to Sunday, November 10th as Paul Waring won his first Rolex Series title at Yas Links.
The campaign comes down to a close at the DP World Tour Championship as we close out the schedule from Thursday, November 14th to Sunday, November 17th at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
How did players qualify?
Beginning last November and running through to August, the first phase of the season consisted of five global swings, before the Back 9 ran from late August through to October.
DP World Tour members have been able to win Race to Dubai points at each event, with 3,000 Race to Dubai Ranking Points on offer within the Global Swings and an increased 5,000 points in the Back 9.
The first three Rolex Series events this season all carried 8,000 points, before that was further elevated to 9,000 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
To view the Race to Dubai Rankings ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, click here.
What is at stake?
Rory McIlroy arrives at the summit of the Race to Dubai Rankings after strengthening his position at the summit with a tied third finish in Abu Dhabi last week.
Thriston Lawrence is the only player who can stop the Northern Irishman equalling the late, great Seve Ballesteros' haul of six Harry Vardon trophies but even that will not be enough if McIlroy finishes solo 11th or better.
Players will also battle for their stake of the $10m prize fund on offer, while the top ten in the DP World Tour Rankings will share a bonus pool of $6m, with the Number One player claiming $2m.
At the end of the tournament, the top ten DP World Tour members on the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings (not otherwise exempt) will earn a PGA TOUR card, becoming dual members for the 2025 season.
Who is in action in the Middle East?
A world-class field will vie for the fifth and final Rolex Series title of the season.
Teeing it up in the UAE for the second week in a row will be four-time Major winner and defending Race to Dubai champion McIlroy, fellow Major champions Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Adam Scott and Olympic silver medallist Tommy Fleetwood.
Joining them among a host of DP World Tour stars are Rolex Series winners Robert MacIntyre and Min Woo Lee, Lawrence and Rasmus Højgaard, along with Matteo Manassero and Japanese stars Rikuya Hoshino and Keita Nakajima.
Ludvig Åberg and Jon Rahm are the only two players from inside the top 50 on the Rankings unavailable through injury or otherwise, Italian Francesco Laporta is the last man in the field after finishing 52nd on the standings after the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
To view the entry list for the DP World Tour Championship, click here.
How can I watch it?
European Tour Productions, the DP World Tour’s in-house production company, will produce and distribute live coverage of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
For specific broadcast timings of all territories please check your local listings.
What is the format for both events?
The DP World Tour Play-Offs will be contested over 72-hole individual strokeplay, with no cut.
Who are the defending champions?
After winning last year's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, previously held in January towards the start of the season, Victor Perez went on to earn dual membership as one of the top ten DP World Tour members on the Race to Dubai Rankings not otherwise exempt.
He has since maintained his playing privileges stateside, but was unable to finish inside the top 70 leading players on the Race to Dubai and did not feature in Abu Dhabi.
Nicolai Højgaard won the prestigious DP World Tour Championship last season, and ensured his place in the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs in Abu Dhabi with a strong showing at the Genesis Championship.
But despite finishing tied 13th in Abu Dhabi, he was unable to play his way into the field for Dubai.
Who has won so far on the Rolex Series?
· Hero Dubai Desert Classic: Rory McIlroy
· Genesis Scottish Open: Robert MacIntyre
· BMW PGA Championship: Billy Horschel
· Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship: Paul Waring
