As we say congratulations to Rory McIlroy for the 6th time in Dubai, it set us thinking, what's the history of the DP World Tour? How did it start & what went before?
Introduction
The Race to Dubai is one of the most prestigious and exciting competitions in professional golf, and it has become the defining feature of the European Tour’s season. This annual race sees the best golfers from around the world compete for a spot in the grand finale, the DP World Tour Championship, in Dubai, where a substantial cash prize and the title of Race to Dubai Champion await the winner. The competition not only highlights individual performances but also showcases the global nature of the sport, as the tour features players from all continents. This article delves into the history of the Race to Dubai, its evolution, and the significance of this competition to the world of golf.
The Genesis of the Race to Dubai
The European Tour had long been a central pillar of professional golf, shaping the game in Europe and fostering emerging talent from across the continent. Since its formation in 1972, the Tour had grown steadily in terms of its number of events, prize money, and global reach. However, despite these gains, it faced a significant challenge by the early 2000s in keeping up with the massive financial power and global prominence of the PGA Tour, the American circuit that had come to dominate the world of golf.
The PGA Tour was able to offer much larger purses, attract the biggest stars from around the world, and leverage vast media coverage, which made it the de facto centre of professional golf. The European Tour had the distinction of representing golf in one of the world's most economically prosperous regions, but it struggled to compete for global visibility, top talent, and sponsorship dollars. While European golf had a deep tradition, a long history of champions, and an audience of passionate fans, the financial clout required to consistently bring in the best players—and to raise the profile of the Tour on a global scale—was something the European Tour lacked when compared to its American counterpart.
The Turning Point: The 2006 Partnership with Dubai
A major turning point for the European Tour came in 2006, when it entered into a landmark partnership with the government of Dubai and its tourism department. This collaboration represented a significant pivot in the Tour's strategy and would become a game-changer for the future of European golf.
Dubai, at the time, had already established itself as a major global business hub and a rapidly growing tourist destination. With its ultramodern skyline, luxurious resorts, world-class golf courses, and burgeoning international profile, Dubai was positioning itself as a leading global city in the 21st century. The city’s wealth, ambitious plans for expansion, and desire to become a central destination for sports tourism made it an ideal partner for the European Tour. In addition, the UAE government had begun a concerted effort to diversify its economy away from oil dependence, and investing in global sports was seen as a key strategy for boosting tourism, international prestige, and soft power.
For the European Tour, the partnership with Dubai presented an invaluable opportunity. It allowed the Tour to tap into Dubai’s deep pockets, which could provide the financial backing necessary to elevate the European Tour’s standing on the global stage. Moreover, it helped provide an avenue to attract the world’s top players by increasing purses, improving the quality of tournaments, and offering more high-profile events. Dubai’s financial backing enabled the European Tour to build a more attractive proposition for sponsors, players, and fans alike.
The UAE’s involvement in European golf was not new at this point. In 1989, Dubai had already secured a significant place in the European Tour calendar with the introduction of the Dubai Desert Classic. The tournament, played at the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club, quickly became one of the flagship events on the European Tour. Its success and growth, combined with Dubai’s escalating economic prominence, laid the foundation for a closer relationship between the UAE and the European Tour. The Dubai Desert Classic soon became a key event that not only attracted top European players but also brought in golf stars from the United States and around the world. This event demonstrated Dubai’s potential as a central hub for global golf, and it was clear to both the European Tour and the UAE government that their partnership could go far beyond just a single tournament.
In 2006, the partnership between the European Tour and Dubai moved beyond just a major event in the calendar. The UAE government, through its various tourism and investment arms, began to pump substantial financial resources into the European Tour. It was part of a broader effort to elevate Dubai’s profile in the world of sports and entertainment. Dubai’s investment into the European Tour was also aligned with its broader vision of positioning itself as a world leader in luxury and lifestyle, with golf as a key pillar of that vision.
The Race to Dubai would serve as a points-based competition throughout the season, with players earning points for their performances in European Tour events. The points leader at the end of the season would be crowned the Race to Dubai Champion, and the reward was both a handsome financial prize and a prestigious title. The Race to Dubai was designed to not only enhance the profile of the European Tour but also promote Dubai as a global hub for golf and sport.
The Early Years: 2009-2011
The first year of the Race to Dubai, in 2009, was a defining moment in the European Tour’s history. It was also the year that the event's framework was set into motion. The 2009 season saw the introduction of the European Tour’s new points system, which replaced the previous money-based rankings with a structure that took into account both tournament victories and consistent finishes. The DP World Tour Championship was staged at the newly constructed Jumeirah Golf Estates, a world-class course designed by Greg Norman, and the event was immediately embraced by players and fans alike.
In 2009, English golfer Lee Westwood emerged as the first Race to Dubai champion. His victory was a significant milestone, not just for Westwood, but for the European Tour as a whole. Westwood had established himself as one of Europe’s premier golfers over the preceding decade, but his win in the Race to Dubai marked his ascent to the top of the European Tour rankings. His victory in Dubai capped off a year that included two European Tour titles and consistent performances across the globe.
Westwood’s win was a signal to the world that the European Tour could produce a global champion and offer a competitive alternative to the PGA Tour. His victory also underscored the importance of the new points system, which rewarded consistency across the entire season rather than just big individual wins. The system also allowed players who might not win major events to still have a chance at the season-ending title, making the Race to Dubai more inclusive and dynamic.
In the following years, the Race to Dubai continued to gain traction. Martin Kaymer of Germany claimed the title in 2010, edging out a strong field and capping off a year in which he had won the PGA Championship and established himself as one of the best players in the world. Kaymer’s triumph was a testament to the increasing internationalization of the European Tour, with more players from outside the UK and Europe beginning to make an impact on the global stage.
The 2011 season saw another exciting finish, with Rory McIlroy, then 22 years old, capturing the Race to Dubai title in a dramatic fashion. McIlroy’s win was part of his breakout year, which also saw him win his first major championship at the U.S. Open. McIlroy’s talent was undeniable, and his victory in the Race to Dubai was further evidence of his rise as one of golf’s brightest stars. He became the youngest player to win the Race to Dubai, signalling the new wave of players who were beginning to dominate both the European Tour and the PGA Tour.
The Rise of Rory McIlroy and the Era of Dominance (2012-2016)
By 2012, Rory McIlroy was firmly established as one of the top players in golf. His victory in the Race to Dubai that year was just one part of a remarkable season in which he won both the PGA Championship and the BMW PGA Championship. McIlroy’s dominance in the early 2010s was a defining period for the European Tour, as his star power elevated the visibility of the Race to Dubai and drew more fans to the sport.
The Race to Dubai took on even greater significance during this period. As McIlroy’s performances both on the European Tour and on the PGA Tour became increasingly impressive, he began to dominate the points standings. His influence extended beyond just his playing ability, as he became a global ambassador for the sport. In 2012, McIlroy won his second consecutive Race to Dubai, a feat that not only solidified his status as the best player on the European Tour but also marked a period of near dominance for him.
During this period, the Race to Dubai also saw the rise of Henrik Stenson of Sweden. In 2013, Stenson became the first player to win both the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour and the Race to Dubai in the same year, making history in the process. Stenson’s victory was seen as a triumph of consistency and perseverance, as he had long been a steady performer on both tours but had never previously captured the overall season-ending title.
Stenson’s win in 2013 was the culmination of a season that also saw him claim the Tour Championship in Atlanta, which helped him become the first player to win both titles in the same season. His success added further legitimacy to the Race to Dubai, and his achievement was seen as a symbol of the increasing competition between the European Tour and the PGA Tour.
The Modern Era and the Continued Globalization of the Race to Dubai (2017-Present)
In 2017, Tommy Fleetwood won the Race to Dubai after a breakout year that included his victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and strong performances throughout the season. Fleetwood’s victory further demonstrated the diversity and global nature of the European Tour. The Race to Dubai continued to serve as a proving ground for emerging stars from all over the world.
As the competition progressed, the global nature of the event became even more apparent. Patrick Reed (2018), Jon Rahm (2019), and Collin Morikawa (2020) all made their mark on the European Tour, with each of these players winning the prestigious title. Their victories reflected not only their individual brilliance but also the changing landscape of professional golf. The emergence of younger, more international players further illustrated the European Tour’s expanding influence, particularly in the wake of the European Tour’s rebranding to the DP World Tour in 2022.
The rebranding, along with increased investment from the UAE’s DP World (formerly Dubai Ports World), helped ensure that the Race to Dubai continued to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. The competition’s prize pool and global stature only grew, attracting more and more top players from around the world, ensuring that the Race to Dubai remained one of the most coveted prizes in golf.
Conclusion
Since its launch in 2009, the Race to Dubai has evolved from a strategic initiative to elevate the profile of the European Tour into a global spectacle that captivates golf fans worldwide. Originally designed to enhance the Tour's visibility and competitiveness, the Race to Dubai has become one of the most anticipated events in professional golf, offering a stage for both seasoned champions and rising stars. Thanks to its innovative points-based system and its groundbreaking partnership with Dubai, the Race to Dubai has remained relevant and exciting, continuously adapting to the evolving landscape of the sport.
What began as a bold initiative to position the European Tour as a global leader in golf has succeeded beyond expectations. The creation of the Race to Dubai in 2009, driven by a significant collaboration between the European Tour and the UAE government, fundamentally changed the Tour's structure and its place in the global sporting arena. The partnership not only gave the European Tour a new, more dynamic format but also helped raise its profile on the world stage, making the Race to Dubai one of the defining features of the European Tour.
As the European Tour continues to evolve and as new challenges and opportunities emerge, the Race to Dubai will likely remain a cornerstone of its identity, celebrating the sport of golf while honouring Dubai’s central role in the global golf landscape.
Comments