Organisers of the DP World Tour Championship are confident next month’s event will have the biggest turnout of spectators in tournament history.
The season-ending event on the DP World Tour – formerly the European Tour – takes place November 17-20 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. On Monday, as organisers marked one month to go until the first tee shot, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick were confirmed for the tournament, as the pair each attempt to become the event’s first three-time winner.
McIlroy, a four-time major champion, leads the season-long DP World Tour Rankings – he has been crowned European No 1 three times before - while reigning US Open champion Fitzpatrick sits second.
Discussing how preparations are taking shape four weeks out, Tom Phillips, head of the Middle East, DP World Tour, said: “We’re really excited. It really feels like it’s just around the corner.
"And we’ve just confirmed that the top two of our Race to Dubai will be here, with Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick fighting it out for the DP World Tour Rankings. The top 50 on the rankings qualify, so the field is taking shape every week when a tournament goes by.
“To have those two at the top of the race battling it out with others is really exciting. We’re very lucky. This is our season finale and the players year-in, year-out want to come, want to win the rankings, want to be the DP World Tour No 1.
“But also they love coming to the UAE, to Dubai, to Jumeirah Golf Estates; the Earth Course is a fantastic venue. They get well looked after in terms of hospitality. The players love it.
“So that combination of wanting to come back to Dubai but also wanting to come back to compete in such a big event means we get really strong fields year-on-year.”
Next month’s event marks the first DP World Tour Championship without any restrictions since the Covid-19 pandemic. Organisers have planned a number of new initiatives for the tournament, now in its 14th year, with spectators welcome for the first time to attend five days including Tuesday's Pro-Am.
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Rory McIlroy staged a stunning fightback to win the PGA Tour Championship in Georgia. USA TODAY Sports -
Rory McIlroy with the FedEx Cup after winning the final round of the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP -
Rory McIlroy walks off the 17th tee as Scottie Scheffler looks on during the final round of the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. AFP -
Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the 17th tee. AFP -
Scottie Scheffler congratulates Rory McIlroy on the 18th green after McIlroy won on Sunday. AFP -
Rory McIlroy celebrates his win. AFP
“We’re already seeing there’s a real appetite this year for people wanting to come back and watch live sports events,” Phillips said. “We’ve seen it with our hospitality tickets – they're already up 25 per cent on previous years at this stage.
“We have free entry for general access - fans can register in advance - and those registrations are going through the roof. So we’re expecting probably a bigger turnout than we’ve ever had before.
“We’re catering obviously for golf fans, but we’re trying to cater for non-golf fans also. This year we’ve a family day, a ladies day, a community day. We’re opening up the Pro-Am on the Tuesday for people to come and watch, and no doubt there’ll be some celebrities taking part in that - footballers, F1 drivers, cricketers have already requested to play. That’ll be a fun day.
“So it’s showing all the signs of being a really, really popular week both on and off the course."
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Matt Fitzpatrick holds the championship trophy after winning the 2022 US Open at Brookline, Massachusetts, USA. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick lines up a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the US Open. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris shake hands after completing the final round. Englishman Fitzpatrick carded a six-under 68 to win by a single shot. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick talks to commentator Mike Tirico after winning the US Open. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England putts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2022 US Open. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England is embraced by his brother Alex. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England along with father Russell, brother Alex and mother Susan, holds the trophy after winning the 2022 US Open. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England hits from the bunker to the 18th green. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England lines up a shot on the 15th green. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick plays his shot from the eighth tee. Reuters -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts to a missed putt on the ninth green. EPA -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England plays his shot from the fourth tee. AFP -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England plays his shot from the third tee. AFP -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts to a missed putt for birdie on the ninth green. AFP -
Matt Fitzpatrick of England celebrates winning on the 18th green with caddie Billy Foster. AFP
