Three Players to Watch in the DP World Tour Championship Next Week
The DP World Tour Championship will take place from November 14th to 17th at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai and will feature the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai Rankings. It is the season finale for the DP World Tour and is a chance for some young players to make a name for themselves and for the seasoned players to stay tournament-sharp while the PGA Tour is on a break. There are a lot of familiar names that will be in contention, as well as some names you will probably start hearing more of very soon. Here are three players to watch in the DP World Tour Championship.
1. Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy has finished ranked number one in the season-long Race to Dubai a total of five times. That’s two behind Seve Ballesteros and three behind Colin Montgomery for most all-time. McIlroy has a strong chance of adding a sixth this year and he’s miles ahead in points from the next player. He has stated recently that he wants to be one of the best, if not the best, European players to ever play, and claiming another title would certainly push him further in that direction. An interesting note for McIlroy is that he said he has been going through some swing corrections recently, particularly in his backswing. Golf fans will notice a slightly adjusted pre-shot routine as he continues to get comfortable with the swing fix. Watch for him to push for a good ending to his year and another trophy in the trophy room.
2. Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood has always been a name to watch on the PGA Tour and has always put himself in contention week in and week out, but still hasn’t gotten his first win on tour. Different story on the DP World Tour for fan favorite Fleetwood though as he has won seven times on the DPWT, including a win at the Dubai Invitational earlier in 2024. It will be somewhat of a home game for him in Dubai where he and his family reside. He’s been the definition of consistency, with 10 tournaments played, nine cuts made, and four top-three finishes on the DPWT, so look for that to continue in the season finale next week, as he hopes to capture his eighth DPWT win and first DP World Tour Championship. Fleetwood is currently fifth on the Race to Dubai Rankings.
3. Rasmus Hojgaard
Rasmus Hojgaard is one of the younger players who has been certainly making a name for himself on the DPWT. He is currently ranked third in the Race to Dubai Rankings, with a win at the Irish Open and seven top 10s this year. Interestingly enough, his twin brother, Nicolai Hojgaard, won the season finale DP World Tour Championship in 2023, so look for Ramsus to follow in his footsteps and win it this year. Ramsus is also looking to make a case for himself to be on the 2025 European Ryder Cup team as he was left off of the 2023 iteration, even though his brother made it. Even though he is ranked third in Race to Dubai Points, likely too far from Rory McIlroy to compete in the season-long race, a win at the DP World Tour Championship, would cement his standing on the Ryder Cup team and as a young name to pay attention to in golf next year.
