Rory McIlroy will chase a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title when the DP World Tour Championship begins at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai on Thursday, 12 November. The season-ending event runs until Sunday, 15 November, and will decide the winner of the tour's season-long rankings.

McIlroy, who has topped the Order of Merit in each of the past four seasons, goes into the final event second in the standings, more than 500 points behind leader Eugenio Chacarra. A win in Dubai carries 2,000 Race to Dubai points, leaving the title still within reach. An eighth title would draw McIlroy level with Colin Montgomerie's record of eight.

McIlroy must be at his best, says the Northern Irishman

McIlroy has won the season-ending tournament three times at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and he lost a play-off to Ryder Cup team-mate Matthew Fitzpatrick at the event last year. He said he would have to be at his "absolute best" to win a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title.

The Northern Irishman is paired with Chacarra for the final group of the opening round, with the pair due to tee off at 8.40am local time on Thursday. Patrick Reed, the other player in contention for the season-long prize, will play alongside Casey Jarvis in the penultimate group.

Chacarra leads the standings into the finale

Chacarra, the only three-time winner on the DP World Tour this season, leads the Race to Dubai Rankings after his victory at the DP World India Championship in Delhi. Jon Rahm, who won in Abu Dhabi last week, and 2026 major champions Aaron Rai and Ryan Fox are also in the field.

The championship brings together the leading 50 available players from the Race to Dubai Rankings. It is played over 72 holes of stroke play, with no cut, on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, a par-72 layout measuring 7,706 yards.

Prize money and how to follow the action

The tournament carries a total purse of $10 million, with $3 million going to the winner. The first tee times on Thursday are scheduled for around 8.15am local time, with gates opening at 7.45am. General admission on Thursday is free for spectators who register in advance.

In the UK, Sky Sports Golf will broadcast the action throughout the week, with coverage of the opening round starting at 7am on Thursday. The final round takes place on Sunday, 15 November.

FAQ

When is the DP World Tour Championship 2026? The tournament runs from Thursday, 12 November to Sunday, 15 November 2026 at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

What is at stake for Rory McIlroy? McIlroy is chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, which would draw him level with Colin Montgomerie's record of eight.

What is the prize money? The total purse is $10 million, with $3 million going to the winner.

Sources: talkSPORT and Sky Sports.