A whopping nine golfers in the Race to Dubai enter this weekend's DP World Tour Championship with a chance of seizing the season title.
Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Graeme McDowell count among the frontrunners of the group, with the trio joined by Ian Poulter, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Thongchai Jaidee and Richard Sterne.
Not only that, it could be site where the Player of the Year is decided, too.
There will, however, be other golfers (including American Peter Uihlein) in Dubai for the tournament. John McAuley offers up five from the field who could cash in and, possibly, ruin one Race to Dubai challenger's chances.
Francesco Molinari (Race to Dubai ranking: 14): This has not been the Italian's best season, yet a tied-second last month in Shanghai, the first leg of the Final Series, was followed by top-25 finishes, among strong fields, in the next two events. Digs the Earth Course too; he was tied-sixth in 2010 and 2011.
Lee Westwood (Race to Dubai ranking: 21): Watch footage of the Englishman, in his own words, "bully" his way to a six-shot victory around this course at the inaugural event in 2009, and he cannot be ruled out this time, either. A move stateside this season has affected his usual consistency.
Louis Oosthuizen (Race to Dubai ranking: 42): He has one of the game's sweetest swings, but a sore shoulder has kept him from a win this year. A tied-15th at the HSBC Champions last month hinted he is well. He likes this event, too; he was fifth and tied-sixth in his past two visits.
Rory McIlRoy (Race to Dubai ranking: 46): The defending champion has had an awful year, but his talent is such that he could rediscover his mojo at any moment. His form is improving, and he likes the Middle Eastern desert, be it Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Thus, he is a serious contender here.
Peter Hanson (Race to Dubai ranking: 55): The 2012 Ryder Cup winner barely made the field, reflecting a forgettable 2013. But Hanson has had a few weeks off since a tied-eighth at the BMW Masters. A top-four finish around Earth two years ago proves the Swede has the game for this track.
