Category: European Tour

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European Tour

Race to Dubai: McIlroy Leads, Fleetwood Top English Player

Tommy Fleetwood leads the English players in the Race To Dubai 2024. (Photo: Getty)
Tommy Fleetwood leads the English players in the Race To Dubai 2024. (Photo: Getty)

As the DP World Tour unfolds, the Race to Dubai ranking has become a focal point for players and fans alike. A total of 11 tournaments have been played in the current season, with the latest being the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Rory McIlroy currently tops the Race to Dubai rankings, and within the elite circle, 21 English players find themselves among the top 120, showcasing England’s depth in golf talent.

The Top English Players in the Race To Dubai 2024

In the Race to Dubai, the top English players are making significant strides. Tommy Fleetwood, currently ranked 10th with 625.6 points, fell down one spot in the rankings after not competing in Qatar. Close on his heels are Laurie Canter and Richard Mansell, who rank 14th and 25th respectively. Canter’s ranking has dipped slightly by one position, despite competing in five events this season, while Mansell has participated in six events to secure his spot within the top 30. The last English player within the Top-30 is Alex Fitzpatrick at 30th with 257.47 points.

The best players in the Race To Dubai

The spotlight in the Race to Dubai, however, shines brightest on the top five players, with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy sitting confidently in pole position after two events in the new year, including a win at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the start of the year that adds up to his 1596 points. The rankings witness a vibrant international mix, featuring Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino in second after his win at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Poland’s Adrian Meronk in third, closely followed by Joaquin Niemann from Chile and Zander Lombard of South Africa rounding out the top five. With multiple victories spread amongst these leading golfers, the competition on the DP World Tour is as fierce as ever.

How the DP World Tour Race to Dubai works

The Race to Dubai is the season ranking of the DP World Tour (former European Tour). The top 60 players in the Race to Dubai ranking are allowed to take part in the final play-off tournament of the former European Tour at the end of the season. The season ranking also determines who is allowed to play on the DP World Tour the following year. At each tournament, the players who make the cut collect points. The total number of points awarded at a tournament depends on the value of the event. Major tournaments earn the most points. For winning a DP World Tour tournament, the winner receives at least 460 points and a good 300,000 euros.

This text was written with the help of AI

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European Tour Live

DP World Tour Tee Times: Callum Shinkwin starting alongside broad field of UK players

The DP World Tour event in Doha will feature a broad field of UK players. (Image: Getty)
The DP World Tour event in Doha will feature a broad field of UK players. (Image: Getty)

The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is slated to commence its first round on Thursday in the city of Doha, Qatar. The DP World Tour event will take place at the renowned Doha Golf Club, boasting a Par of 72. A prize fund of $2,500,000 is up for grabs, with Sami Välimäki as the defending champion, who will not be in the field.

See all Tee Times here

Breaking Down the DP World Tour Tee Times

Sam Jones, a British player, will participate in the first round at 06:15 local time and for the second at 11:00. He will be playing with Jaco Prinsloo from RSA and Kristian Krogh Johannessen from Norway.

English golfer Marcus Armitage will tee off at 06:35 and 11:20 with Hennie Du Plessis from RSA and Filippo Celli from Italy. Daniel Gavins will be starting at the same time, but from different Tees, respectively. Their fellow countryman, Tom Lewis, will begin at 06:45 and 11:30 on day 2 alongside Nacho Elvira from Spain and Simon Forsström from Sweden.

Tom Mckibbin from North Ireland and Paul Waring from England will start their first rounds at 06:45 and 06:55 respectively, and second rounds at 11:30 and 11:40. Waring will partner with Søren Kjeldsen from Denmark and Brandon Stone from RSA, while Mckibbin will join forces with Renato Paratore from Italy and Keita Nakajima from Japan.

James Morrison and Richard Mansell will be teaming up with Shubhankar Shamar, starting at 7:35 in the first round and at 12:20 in the second. 10 minutes later Joshua Greenville-wood and Garrick Porteous will begin their round with David Ravetto.

Welsh player, Stuart Manley, will begin at 10:50 and 06:15, partnering with Om Prakash Chouhan from India and Sebastian Friedrichsen from Denmark. Additionally, Alex Fitzpatrick from England will tee off at 11:40 and 07:05 alongside Haotong Li from China and Daniel Hillier from New Zealand.

Callum Shinkwin will start with Canadian Aaron Cockerill and Scottish Ewen Ferguson. Come round 1 they will be starting at 12:00, with round 2 beginning at 7:25.

Further English players participating in the tournament are Joseph Dean, Matthew Baldwin, Eddie Pepperell, Matthew Southgate, Marco Penge, Andy Sullivan, Ross Fisher, Daniel Brown, Chris Wood, Andrew Wilson, Will Enefer and Sam Bairstow.

From Scotland next to Ewen Ferguson, Calum Hill, Richie Ramsay, Scott Jamieson and Stephen Gallacher will all take part, gracing the greens at varying DP World Tour Tee Times.

(This text is AI generated)

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European Tour

DP World Tour: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2024 Live Blog

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2024 Live Scores

The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in the season 2024 is being played in Doha, Qatar at the Doha GC. The tournament starts at the Thursday, 8th of February and ends at the Sunday, 11th of February 2024.
The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is part of the DP World Tour in the season 2024. In 2024 all players competing for a total prize money of $2,500,000.
The course for the tournament at Doha GC plays at Par 72.

As part of the International Swing, the DP World Tour travels to Doha, Qatar. The Qatar Masters has been held here annually at the Doha GC since 1998.

DP World Tour live

Through the Golf Post Live Blog you can follow all results on the DP World Tour live. The DP World Tour is the top golf league alongside the PGA Tour. Originally started on the European continent, it now includes tournaments all over the world. With events in Asia, Africa, Australia and the Middle East and partnerships with the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour has a truly global reach. The official name of the organization is PGA European Tour and the DP World Tour is headquartered at the Wentworth Club in Virgina Water, England.

In the 2024 season, a total of 45 tournaments will be held in over 25 different countries. This versatility and the many different venues are what make the tour so appealing to golfers. The prize money is slightly lower on average than on the neighboring PGA Tour and ranges between 1.2 million dollars and 10 million dollars (DP World Tour Championship).
Since 2009, the official money ranking of the DP World Tour has been the “Race to Dubai”. This includes all relevant tournaments (including the major tournaments) from a season for the ranking. The overall winner of the Race to Dubai receives a five-year playing license on the DP World Tour, the Harry Vardon Trophy and bonus prize money of six million US dollars.

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European Tour Live

Race to Dubai Update: McIlroy Leads, Top 5 US Players

McIlroy in the lead and five US Players in the Top 120. (Photo: Getty)
McIlroy in the lead and five US Players in the Top 120. (Photo: Getty)

As the DP World Tour progresses, we have already witnessed a series of thrilling tournaments, with the most recent event won by Dylan Fritelli, who has climbed to eighth place in the Race to Dubai rankings. Rory McIlroy is still at the top of the rankings. McIlroy further solidifying his dominance with a total of 1596 points from playing in 2 events and notching up 1 victory. Among the cream of the crop in the rankings, American players have made their presence felt, with 5 of them placed within the top 120.

Race to Dubai’s Top American Contenders

Johannes Veerman, worth keeping an eye on, is the leading American in the Race to Dubai standings. He has gathered 185.7 points and ranks 41st after participating in 5 events. Hot on his trail is Sean Crocker, who has accrued 151.97 points, making him the second-best American on the list at the 56th spot, followed by John Catlin, who collected 109.35 points in three tournaments played, putting him in 79th place. Next US Player in the Race to Dubai Ranking is Chase Hanna in 107th position with 67.65 points. Last but not least, Julian Suri completes the American round. He scored 63.75 points in two tournament starts and is currently in 112th place.

Dominance in the Race to Dubai

Rory McIlroy is the dominant force in the Race to Dubai 2024 so far, maintaining a healthy lead over his closest competitors. He’s followed in the rankings by Poland’s Adrian Meronk, with 1023.4 points, and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who boasts 966.73 points. Not far behind is South Africa’s Zander Lombard, who climbed 6 positions this week to rank 4th, while Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino rounds out the top 5 with 715.35 points in his kitty.

How the DP World Tour Race to Dubai works

The Race to Dubai is the season ranking of the DP World Tour (former European Tour). The top 60 players in the Race to Dubai ranking are allowed to take part in the final play-off tournament of the former European Tour at the end of the season. The season ranking also determines who is allowed to play on the DP World Tour the following year. At each tournament, the players who make the cut collect points. The total number of points awarded at a tournament depends on the value of the event. Major tournaments earn the most points. For winning a DP World Tour tournament, the winner receives at least 460 points and a good 300,000 euros.

(Created with AI)

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European Tour

DP World Tour: Rory McIlroy wins fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy wins Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy wins Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy won a record-breaking fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour as he successfully defended his title on a dramatic afternoon at Emirates Golf Club.

The Northern Irishman claimed a maiden Rolex Series crown at this event 12 months ago but came into the weekend ten shots back before a stunning third-round 63 put him into the final group on Sunday.

He then turned a two-shot deficit into a four-shot lead with six holes to play before a bogey on the 13th gave the chasing Adrian Meronk and Cameron Young a glimmer of hope.

Full Leaderboard for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy wins in Dubai “where everything started”

“It’s a great start to the season”, McIlroy said after his win. “I started well last year with the win here. A couple of little things still to work on but these weeks are great. You learn a ton from them and obviously great to get the competition and come out on top as well.”

He went on to reminisce about his history with the event. “Just to think like 18 years ago, and what it meant to come here and play in this event, to be sitting here, you know, having won it four times, and all the great experiences that I’ve had in Dubai and the friends that I’ve met and everything sort of along the way, it’s always been a place where I come back to and reminisce about my career because I really feel like it’s where everything started.”

“So it’s amazing to sit here. The first Desert Classic, I took a media credential and I walked inside the ropes to follow Tiger and Ernie and Thomas Bjorn, and then just to think about even the arc of that: Thomas Bjorn was my Ryder Cup Captain; I ended up buying Ernie Els’s house; I’ve become really good friends with Tiger Woods. It’s just amazing to think back on the last 18 years and sort of where I find myself.”

Meronk and Young came short

Pole Meronk cut the lead to one as he signed for a 71 but McIlroy held his nerve down the stretch and carded a 70 for a 14 under par total and a one-shot win.

American Young finished with a 74 to sit at 12 under, two shots clear of Canadian Aaron Cockerill, Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal and Chilean Joaquin Niemann.

The win takes McIlroy past Ernie Els’ hat-trick of Desert Classic victories and hands him his third Rolex Series triumph, having won three of the last five blue riband events.

He also becomes just the second player to successfully defend this title after Stephen Gallacher lifted the Dallah Trophy in 2013 and 2014 and makes it six wins in Dubai with his two victories at the DP World Tour Championship.

The 34-year-old has started the defence of his Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex crown with a runner-up finish and a win as he looks to become Europe’s Number One for a sixth time, moving to the top of the Rankings for the 2024 title and the International Swing.

Dane Nicolai Højgaard, Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura, China’s Li Haotong and Australian Adam Scott finished five shots off the lead.

(Text: DP World Tour)

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European Tour

Seve Ballesteros Award: Adrian Meronk wins Player of the Year 2023

Adrian Meronk wins the Seve Ballesteros Award 2023. (Image: Getty)

Adrian Meronk has won the 2023 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year by his peers on the DP World Tour.

The accolade is one of a number of the 31-year-old’s history-making achievements as he becomes the first player from Poland to receive the honour after a season in which he won three times and finished a career-high fourth on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

Meronk earned 38% of the votes cast by his fellow DP World Tour members, with Race to Dubai Champion Rory McIlroy taking second place. Ryder Cup debutant Nicolai Højgaard and Viktor Hovland, who clinched the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup, were in joint third place.

Meronk was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons Javier, who travelled to Dubai ahead of this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, won by his father more than 30 years ago.

The Pole started the 2023 season in stunning fashion, earning his second DP World Tour title at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, holding off a final day challenge from home favourite – and one of his golfing heroes – Major champion Adam Scott.

His victory in Australia earned him a place inside the Top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of the 2022 calendar year, enough to secure a maiden appearance at the Masters Tournament and thus become the first player from Poland to compete in all four Major Championships.

Another national open title followed shortly after as he triumphed at the DS Automobiles Italian Open, birdieing the 72nd hole at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club to win the title by one stroke. He then moved to a career-high 45th on the OWGR shortly after his win in Italy.

His next victory of the campaign, and fourth DP World Tour title, came at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters at Sotogrande, as he secured his position inside the top ten on the season-long rankings, ultimately going on to finish in fourth position and earn dual membership on the PGA TOUR for 2024.

The Player of the Year Award, named after the legendary Seve Ballesteros, incorporates the former Golfer of the Year Award after the two accolades were combined in 2021 to become one single honour voted for by the DP World Tour’s members.

Meronk, said: “It feels amazing. I’m shocked to be honest, I didn’t expect that. You got me by surprise but seeing my name next to all of these players, it’s unbelievable. I’m very grateful for this award. It means a lot to me that other players appreciate my season last year. It’s a great feeling. 

“Last year was the best season so far in my career. I’m really happy that other players saw that, as well and give that award. Just thank you for that and I have to keep going.

“I enjoy this week. I love playing here in Dubai. It’s probably one of my favourite tournaments of the year. So I’m excited to be here. We have such a great field this week, so I will just enjoy every moment.”

“It’s actually very nice to be here,” added Ballesteros. “I used to come here with my dad many years ago, and to have an award with his name that the players vote for the Player of the Year, we are very grateful and very happy that there’s a prize with his name. 

“Adrian played fantastic last year, he won multiple times and he’s a well-deserved winner of this award. 

“We were very happy when the Tour came to us to say that they were going to put the Seve Ballesteros Award for the Player of the Year, and we really do like it.  We are very grateful, and the special thing that we like is the prize is voted by the players.” 

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, added: “Adrian has made history throughout his career, and I’m delighted to congratulate him once again, this time for becoming the first Polish player to add their name to the illustrious list of winners of the Seve Ballesteros Award.

“Any season that includes three trophies – including two national opens – is always impressive, and Adrian’s peers clearly thought so. 

“I also want to thank Javier Ballesteros for travelling to Dubai to present the award to Adrian. It meant a lot to have him there to represent his father.”

(Text: DP World Tour)

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European Tour Ladies European Tour

Golf Boom: Rising ticket sales for professional tournaments

Biggest tournaments in Great Britain and Ireland in 2023 have seen strong increases in ticket sales and spectator numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels (Source: DP World Tour)
Biggest tournaments in Great Britain and Ireland in 2023 have seen strong increases in ticket sales and spectator numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels (Source: DP World Tour)

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, golf has experienced a surge in popularity, attracting an increasing number of enthusiasts. This trend seems to extend its positive influence to professional golf as well. According to a report from the DP World Tour, R&A, and Ladies European Tour, major golf tournaments in the UK and Ireland in 2023 have witnessed a significant boost in popularity, marked by increased ticket sales and higher attendance numbers.

DP World Tour with 43 percent higher income from ticket sales

The report focuses on the most prominent golf tournaments in the UK and Ireland, highlighting the DP World Tour’s remarkable achievement. In 2023, the DP World Tour managed to increase its revenue from ticket sales by an impressive 43%, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Notably, the four major tournaments (excluding Majors) showed substantial increases. The BMW PGA Championship saw a 41% rise in revenue compared to 2019, while the Genesis Scottish Open more than doubled its ticket sales revenue. Overall attendance for the four events, including the BMW PGA Championship, Genesis Scottish Open, Horizon Irish Open, and Betfred British Masters, exhibited a slight upward trend, with nearly 300,000 attendees – around 30,000 more than the previous year. The Ladies European Tour also reported modest increases in audience numbers, with a 20% rise at the KPMG Irish Open in late August.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Golf is gaining popularity and attracting a more diverse audience. The numbers confirm this, and the biggest events of the DP World Tour in the UK and Ireland have never been more popular. We are witnessing a similar trend in our historic national Opens across Europe. The natural outdoor appeal of golf led people to try the sport at a record pace in 2020, and the DP World Tour is now reaping the benefits. Golfers of all ages want to witness the world’s best players showcasing their skills, and we are focused on ensuring that our audience experience meets their expectations.”

Record Year for the British Open

The pinnacle of golf in the UK, the British Open, also celebrated significant success. Since 2019, all tournament days have been sold out, and the 151st Open in 2023 recorded a 30% increase in attendance compared to the previous edition at Royal Liverpool in 2014. The growing popularity of the tournament led to the introduction of a ticket lottery in 2022 to accommodate the surging demand.

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European Tour PGA Tour

New Membership Opportunities outlined for PGA Tour Members on the DP World Tour

Since 2021, the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour have been in a Strategic Alliance. (Photo: Getty)
Since 2021, the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour have been in a Strategic Alliance. (Photo: Getty)

The DP World Tour today announces new membership opportunities for PGA TOUR members in its 2024 season, a further illustration of the strength of the relationship between the two Tours through the existing Strategic Alliance.

DP World Tour 2024: Two new memberships

The opportunities fall into two categories: (i) Full membership of the DP World Tour available for players who finish in positions 126 to 200 on the 2022-2023 FedExCup Fall Points List; or (ii) Affiliate Membership of the DP World Tour available to any other PGA TOUR Member when participating in any Race to Dubai ranking tournament in the 2024 season. Affiliate Members and Non-Members will now automatically appear on a new ‘Non-Member Race to Dubai Points List’ following the first tournament where they earn points.

This list will see players accrue Race to Dubai Points and, based on their points, can see them potentially qualify for (a) the DP World Tour play-offs in 2024 and (b) the season-ending Bonus Pool in 2024 if they have played four or more counting tournaments outside the Majors, in line with the current DP World Tour Member regulations.

Should they choose to additionally take up Affiliate Membership, this will give them the potential to earn full ranked membership of the DP World Tour in the following season if their final ranking qualifies them.

PGA TOUR Members who take up Full Membership (Option (i) above) will play from a newly created Category 12 in the 2024 DP World Tour Exemption Category list. Only five players from this category can play in a DP World Tour event in any given week.

To access this category, eligible players must join the DP World Tour as members by Wednesday, December 20, 2023, to compete in tournaments in the 2024 calendar year, but by Wednesday November 22, 2023, if they want to compete in any of the 2024 season tournaments scheduled for November or December 2023.

Consequence of the Strategic Alliance between DP World Tour and PGA Tour

These initiatives – which were discussed and ratified by the DP World Tour’s Tournament Committee – follow on from the one announced last year that will see the leading ten players on the 2023 Race to Dubai (not otherwise exempt) earn PGA TOUR cards for the 2024 season – these cards being ranked after the top 125 finishers on the 2022-2023 FedExCup Fall Points List.

David Howell, Chairman of the DP World Tour’s Tournament Committee, said: “When we announced our Strategic Alliance with the PGA TOUR in November 2021, one of the prime objectives was to give as many opportunities as possible to members of both Tours, and this is another perfect example of how this is working.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, said: “Our Ten Cards initiative will give the opportunity for DP World Tour members to excel on the PGA TOUR next season and this new membership opportunity announced today will give PGA TOUR members the chance to do exactly the same on our Tour. I am excited at the possibilities.”

(Text: European Tour Group Communications)

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European Tour PGA Tour

World Golf Ranking: Collin Morikawa approaches the Top 10

Collin Morikawa wins in Japan. (Photo: Getty)
Collin Morikawa wins in Japan. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick continue to hold their own in the top 10. There was no movement in the top 10 of the world ranking this week. In the latest World Golf Ranking, Rory McIlroy (NIR) seized the impressive second place, reinforcing his status as the highest-ranking British player. Right behind him, Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) is holding steady in the seventh position. Also Tyrrell Hatton keeps his rank: He is still on rank 12.

Click here for the full World Golf Ranking

Tommy Fleetwood loses a place due to Collin Morikawa’s rise and is now 15th. Meanwhile, Justin Rose, another British Ryder Cup player, makes up two places and climbs to 37th.

Top Three of the World Golf Ranking

At the top, the players in the top 3 continue to consolidate their positions. Scottie Scheffler remains the undisputed number 1, Rory McIlroy stays on their heels and Jon Rahm rounds off the trio.

A look at the other ranks shows: Norwegian Viktor Hovland is still in fourth place, followed by Americans Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in fifth and sixth. After Englishman Fitzpatrick in 7th place, the three Americans Max Homa, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark occupy the last three places in the top 10.

(This article was written with the help of AI)

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European Tour Live PGA Tour

World Golf Ranking: Rory McIlroy Hunting For Number 1

World Golf Ranking: Rory McIlroy und Jon Rahm hunt for the worlds lead (Foto: Getty)
World Golf Ranking: Rory McIlroy und Jon Rahm hunt for the number one spot. (Foto: Getty)

English Charge in the World Golf Ranking

There is only slight movement in the World Golf Ranking for British players. England’s Matt Fitzpatrick is holding firm at seventh for the second consecutive week, demonstrating consistent top-level performance. Tyrrell Hatton, also from England, falls one position to 12th. Slightly further down the rankings, Tommy Fleetwood has dropped one spot to rank 14th.

Check out the entire World Golf Ranking here

Shuffling Order for the Brits Beyond the top 10

British representation continues in the World Golf Ranking with Justin Rose of England sliding three positions to 39th. Scotsman Robert MacIntyre sits in 56th spot. He’s followed by Aaron Rai and Jordan Smith. Completing the best-performing British professionals this week is Matt Wallace, who has made an eight-position surge to reach 89th position.

Review of the worlds top 3

Examining the top of the World Golf Ranking, Scottie Scheffler of the United States remains in pole position, echoing his firm hold on the top spot these last few months. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy follows him at second place, with Jon Rahm of Spain close behind at third.

No movement in the top 10 of the world

The middle and tail end of the top ten in the world see an unchanging continuity of strong performances. Norway’s Viktor Hovland, USA’s Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are steadfast at positions four to six, respectively. Max Homa, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark, all from the United States, have also managed to maintain their ranks at positions eight to ten.