Dubai: World number one Rory McIlroy on Sunday assured himself of the 2014 Race to Dubai crown — which rewards the top European PGA Tour golfer of the year — without swinging a golf club.
The Northern Irishman was not playing this week in the season’s penultimate tournament in Belek, Turkey, but made it past the post anyway when none of his nearest challengers — Sergio Garcia, Jamie Donaldson or Marcel Siem — were able to win.
That means that no player is in a position to overhaul British Open and PGA Championship winner McIroy in next week’s season finale in Dubai, the DP World Golf Championship to be held at Jumeirah golf Estates from November 20-23. It is the second time in three years that McIlroy gets to keep the Race to Dubai title.
American Brooks Koepka, meanwhile, guaranteed himself a Masters invitation later next month by capturing the Turkish Airlines Open.
Koepka, 24, came from two shots behind to shoot a final round seven under par 65 and claim a maiden European Tour title by one shot with a 17-under par tally.
The Florida-born golfer also claimed a maiden European Tour victory in his 27th Tour start to deny England’s Ian Poulter who shot a five-under par 67 to finish second on 16-under par.
Poulter had the chance to force a play-off but missed a seven foot birdie putt on the last as Koepka watched from the side of the green.
Meanwhile, world No.2 Adam Scott has called on Australian Open organisers to let him go head-to-head against McIlroy, which begins in Sydney on November 27.
Masters champion Scott had led McIlroy by a shot going down the final fairway in the 2013 Australian Open but stunned his fervent home fans at Royal Sydney by missing the green with his second shot and making a bogey, while McIlroy stroked home a 15-foot putt for a birdie and victory.
Scott is desperate to atone and would relish the chance to stare down his great rival in a straight duel. “I believe the organisers should take advantage and put Rory and myself together because it does happen occasionally at US Opens where they pair the players according to their rankings.
“It’s not often we have the world number one and number two ranked players in the same tournament in Australia, and it would be fun to do, and I would certainly enjoy that.”
— With inputs from agencies
