Dubai: Rory McIlroy has conceded the Race to Dubai title before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship has even started at Jumeirah Golf Estates this week.
The Northern Irishman is fourth on the money-list and would need to win the final event, while hoping Henrik Stenson finishes outside the top 45. Danny Willett would also have to finish outside the top five and Alex Noren would need to finish lower than second.
“Yes, mathematically I can still win, but it’s not going to happen, I wouldn’t hold my breath,” said the three-time Race to Dubai winner and two-time DP World Tour Champion, who is also the defending champion in both the event and the money-list.
“I think the three guys ahead of me are playing very good golf, especially the two Swedes, Henrik and Alex. Alex with what he’s done over the past few weeks,” he said in reference to Noren’s three wins in as many months to total four victories for the year.
“Henrik has had a fantastic year and so has Danny, obviously,” he added of the leading pair, who both won their first major this year with the Open and Masters respectively.
“So, I don’t expect those guys to play badly this week. I’m just concentrating on trying to win the golf tournament and if I can do that, I’ll be very happy.
“I feel like my game is in pretty good shape, I’ve played this golf course pretty well in the past, and hopefully I can play it just as well, if not better this week. It would be a good way to finish the year on a high and to get a victory and lift the trophy would make the turkey taste a bit better at Christmas.”
Of his season, with one win and seven top fives in 13 events, he added: “I’ve won a couple of things I haven’t won before — the Irish Open and the FedExCup — so that was good.
“But my play in majors was disappointing, missing the cut at the US Open and the PGA.
“Majors aside, I feel like it’s been a pretty good, consistent year. But going into next year, I’d like to think that my performances in the majors are going to be better.”
