When the sun sets behind the Dubai skyline on Sunday evening, it will signal the end of the Race to Dubai DP World Tour season. Or rather, it would, if it hadn’t reached its climax before a ball was struck.
Max Homa’s maiden international victory in South Africa was enough to hand Rory McIlroy an insurmountable lead in the season standings and secure his fifth Race to Dubai championship. An impressive feat, but it feels all so hollow.
McIlroy is the poster boy of European golf, and he’s had a stellar season. Two wins in his nine starts is an impressive win rate — this week will be start number 10.
But let’s dwell on that for a second. Nine starts. It does a disservice to the tour, and to the pros who grind it out year-round, from Scotland to Kenya, Sun City to India, and the rest. Adrian Meronk, has had a decent season. He sits third in the Race to Dubai, yet he’s played 23 times for example. Some of those teeing it up have committed themselves to over 30 events this year. For the champion to have played in only nine is futile.
The PGA Tour’s season ending Championship series is not without its critics, but players know walking through the doors at East Lake for the final event, it’s all up for grabs. There’s jeopardy in the weeks leading up to it too. Top 70, top 50, then finally the top 30 make Atlanta. The handicap nature of the tournament is less than perfect, but fans can sit back and watch the weekend play in anticipation of drama. Who can make a late charge for the crown? Viktor Hovland did this year, shooting up the rankings in the lead up to the Tour Championship and overcoming a two-shot deficit to defeat Scottie Scheffler.
In Dubai, we’re denied any drama. There’s a strong field packed with Ryder Cup talent, a more than impressive $10m purse, world ranking points to be won…but it’s just another event now, isn’t it?
There’s also PGA Tour cards for a lucky few to collect as they check out on another season. A partial exemption to the PGA Tour. The strategic alliance has ensured a healthy relationship between tours, be only if the DP World Tour stays in its lane. The subservient nature of the Tour is a reality check to where we’re at though. With LIV looming, the DP World Tour isn’t strong enough to battle it alone, but becoming a feeder tour doesn’t bode well for its long term future.
The Dubai Tour Championship has the potential to be so much more. We get dozens of regular tournaments each year, this should be different. The DP World Tour must take steps to ensure its Race to Dubai goes to Dubai. Remember, McIlroy didn’t even tee up in South Africa, and he hasn’t done so since September on this tour.
Similarly, is it right that the winner plays just 10 events all year when you’ve got many who have played three times that much?
As the final putt drops and the curtain falls on another Race to Dubai, the echoes of missed opportunities will reverberate. A Tour that needs fresh impetus must act to give it hope for the future. Status quo isn’t working. Give the people what we want. Storylines and golf that means something.