McIlroy eyes record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title at DP World Tour Championship

Seven-time Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy will tee it up at the DP World Tour Championship from November 12-15 at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, as he bids to draw level with Colin Montgomerie’s record haul of eight Harry Vardon Trophies.

The reigning European No. 1 sits second in the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World, with leader Patrick Reed, who is also confirmed in the world-class field bound for Dubai, firmly in his sights.

The Northern Irishman more than halved the gap to the American at last month’s BMW PGA Championship, where a closing 68 at Wentworth Club earned him a share of second in the prestigious event.

The world No. 2 returns to Dubai on the back of a historic Masters defence earlier this year. Having completed the career Grand Slam at Augusta National last year, he successfully defended the Green Jacket in April to become only the fourth back-to-back Masters champion, after Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

The 37-year-old also boasts a formidable record on the Earth course, having won the DP World Tour Championship on three occasions in 2012, 2015 and 2024.

“I’ve always loved coming to Dubai and I’ve had some great days on the Earth course, so I’m really looking forward to being back for the DP World Tour Championship,” said McIlroy, a 21-time winner on the DP World Tour.

“Getting to eight and drawing level with Monty would mean a lot. He was an amazing player to watch when I was growing up, and the Race to Dubai is something I’ve always taken a lot of pride in. To have the opportunity to win it again, and potentially match Monty’s record, would be a pretty special way to finish the season.”

Now in its 18th year, the DP World Tour Championship is one of Dubai’s leading sporting and social events. Entry is free on Thursday November 12 with pre-registration. Reed sat atop the rankings for more than seven months, having moved to the top in February after a blistering start to his year.

In January, a composed four-shot victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a Rolex Series event, delivered a fourth DP World Tour title of his career, before the 2018 Masters champion added a fifth just two weeks later with a two-stroke win at the Qatar Masters.

The World Number 29 now has the chance to become only the second American to be crowned European Number One, following Collin Morikawa, who claimed the title in 2021 while also becoming the first American to win the DP World Tour Championship.

Reed will be making his eighth appearance at the DP World Tour Championship when the action gets underway on the Earth course next month.

“Dubai is where the season really got going for me, so it would be pretty cool to finish it there with the Harry Vardon Trophy,” said Reed.

“I’ve played the DP World Tour Championship a bunch of times over the years, so I know the golf course pretty well and what it takes to get it done there.

“There are some really good players behind me, and that’s what makes the DP World Tour so competitive. You know you’re going to have to play well right to the end.”

Away from the course, the Championship Village offers a full day out for fans of all ages. It features dedicated kids zones, free golf lessons, trick-shot shows, big screens and sports activations, along with Ladies Day on Saturday and Family Day on Sunday.