European tour champions arrive in Dubai as DP World Tour kicks off Thursday

The top-50 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings have descended on the city ahead of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates has been set for the final Rolex Series event of 2021.

The players will compete for the $9 million prize pot and the European Number One crown, with play getting underway from Thursday through to Sunday, November 21.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy celebrated Dubai and its commitment to the development of golf over the last 10 years, stating, "Dubai has been the cornerstone of the European Tour since 2009, since the Race to Dubai started which was my second year on Tour.

"They have done a massive investment in golf in the last few years and now DP World has come on board to be the main sponsor of on Tour which I think is wonderful news. It solidifies the Tour’s future for a long time."

McIlroy added, "All the players owe this region a lot, especially Dubai, a debt of gratitude as they’ve invested so heavily in our game and that we have all benefitted from it."

The four-time major winner’s comments come following the European Tour announced it would be renamed to the DP World Tour from 2022, following a significant commitment from the Dubai-headquartered multinational logistics company.

The DP World Tour’s total purse will exceed $200 million over the season, for the first time.

Other players teeing it up this week in the hopes of winning both the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai are defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick, two-time major winner Collin Morikawa, Ryder Cup legends Tommy Fleetwood and Ian Poulter.

Apart from the game, a wide array of entertainment facilities have been planned, both on and off the course.

For the first time, Atlantis is bringing a taste of the iconic entertainment resort to Jumeirah Golf Estates with mini-golf, bowling, and arcade games.

Ladies attending the event on Friday, the first Ladies Day of the DP World Tour Championship, can look forward to receiving two free beverage vouchers, free golf clinics, spa vouchers and on-site competitions.

Admission is free to watch the world’s best golfers compete to stamp their ticket to the season-ending event.