McIlroy trails Chacarra by 533.93 points before Dubai finale, DeChambeau's options narrow

Race to Dubai finale

Rory McIlroy is in Dubai for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, trailing Spain's Eugenio Chacarra by 533.93 points in the Race to Dubai standings. The winner of the final event receives 2,000 points, and nine players remain in contention for the title. McIlroy, who is 37, is chasing an eighth Race to Dubai crown and a fifth in succession. A win would draw him level with Colin Montgomerie, who won the Order of Merit eight times, including seven straight titles between 1993 and 1999. On Tuesday, 10 November, McIlroy told reporters he was very excited to be in contention and felt he had made some ground the previous week.

DeChambeau's uncertain future

LIV Golf announced in the week of 2 November that it is winding down operations, leaving two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, 33, without a clear next move. DeChambeau has said he will approach that decision with 'humility and respect'. He can apply for DP World Tour membership for the 2027 season as a recent Major champion, but he has until 15 November to confirm his participation. Membership could lead to earning back his PGA Tour card for 2028, though a direct route back to the PGA Tour is not currently an option. McIlroy lost the 2024 US Open to DeChambeau and now says the American would bring a benefit to the tour, namely more attention for tournaments.

“I think a name like Bryson DeChambeau and everything he brings with him, good and bad, he brings eyeballs, which is a good thing for tournaments.”

McIlroy added that DeChambeau does not appear to have many options if he wants to play competitive golf, and said he was glad not to be in the American's position.

Reed's route back to the PGA Tour

Patrick Reed won the Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club in January and then chose not to renew his LIV Golf contract. He lost a playoff the following week in Bahrain before winning the Qatar Masters. Just over two months later, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia changed course and pulled the plug on LIV Golf, leaving dozens of players searching for a tour. Reed earned his PGA Tour return by finishing in the top 10 of the Race to Dubai without a tour card, and he is No. 3 in the European ranking going into the final week. Reed said on Tuesday, 10 November:

“The year has been very satisfying.”

Reed said he takes no satisfaction from seeing players who stayed with LIV, who will likely rely on sponsor exemptions at run-of-the-mill European Tour events and wait a year before trying to qualify for the PGA Tour. He said many of those players are close friends of his and he hopes they can do what he did.

LPGA form in Japan

Shuri Sakuma had not been sure she could play in the Toto Classic in Japan at the start of the year, but she went on to win it. The victory was her fifth on the Japan LPGA, which also gives her LPGA Tour membership that she plans to defer until next year. Sakuma is the fourth first-time winner from Japan on the LPGA this season, following Shiho Kuwaki at the Women's British Open. She is also the 10th different Japanese player to win on the LPGA over the last two years. Erika Hara finished third at the Toto Classic, a career-best result that all but assures her of the LPGA rookie of the year award.