Everything you wanted to know about the European Tour's Final Series but were afraid to ask.....
Everything you wanted to know about the European Tour's Final Series but were afraid to ask.....
'46 tournaments, 25 countries, 1 champion' says the neat marketing blurb for the European Tour's Race To Dubai.
After 42 of those events, we're now entering the end portion of the season called 'The Final Series' - four events worth a combined US$30.5million
Previously the season had ended with just a single bang in Dubai but, for the first time, this year the climax is being stretched out over a quartet of events to build excitement and competitiveness in the same way the FedEx Cup play-offs have for the PGA Tour.
Q: What are the four events?
A: The Final Series is made up of the BMW Masters and WGC-HSBC Champions in China, the Turkish Open and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
Q: Do the fields get whittled down each week like they do in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup series?
A: Not until the end. The fields are set at 78 players for the first three events but after Turkey the field is cut to 60 for the big shootout in Dubai.
Q: Rory McIlroy has had a quiet year. What position is he in now and will he make it into the final 60?
A: Rory is currently 63rd so, if the Dubai event was this week, he'd miss out. However, he has three chances to improve his position and it would be a huge surprise if he didn't crack the top 60.
Q: Are there any other big names in danger of missing out?
A: Luke Donald is right on the bubble in 60th but, again, he's expected to seal his spot.
Q: Tiger Woods is playing in Turkey. Could he qualify for the Race To Dubai if he has a good week?
A: No. To be eligible for the Race To Dubai finale you need to have played in at least two of first three Final Series events. Tiger isn't teeing it up in either the BMW Masters or HSBC Champions so he doesn't qualify.
Q: What's the overall first prize for the winner?
A: The US$3.75million Race to Dubai Bonus Pool is divided amongst the leading 10 players in the final Race to Dubai standings as calculated at the conclusion of the 2013 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. First prize is US$1million, second is $650,000 and it goes down gradually to $100,000 for 10th.
Q: Henrik Stenson has a big lead (see rankings on the right) so, realistically, can he be caught?
A: Well, Sky Bet make him 8/13 to go on and top the final standings so he's a clear favourite. There are some big prizes still on offer though so he won't be able to rest on his laurels.
Q: Is the points system easier to understand as it's still somewhat baffling in the FedEx Cup?
A: So far the standings have been calculated in Euro so it's been just like a traditional money list. However the cash has now been converted to a points table with every Euro of official money being converted into one point. Why? Basically it's an incentive for players to turn up for the Final Series events. Anyone who participates in all three of the BMW Masters, WGC-HSBC Champions and Turkish Airlines Open will be awarded a Race to Dubai points bonus of 20% of his total official money earned in these three events, which will be added to his Race to Dubai total at the conclusion of the Turkish Open.
The Final Series events
1) BMW Masters - China (Oct 24-27)
Field: 78 players
Format: 72 holes strokeplay, no cut
Prize money: US$7million
Eligibility: a) The leading 60 available players within the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings as of Monday 30th September 2013. (b) 14 players as determined by the Chinese Golf Association. (c) 3 tournament invitations. (d) The balance of the field will be completed in order from the 2013 Race to Dubai as of 21st October.
2) WGC-HSBC Champions - China (Oct 31st-Nov 3rd)
Field: 78 players
Format: 72 holes strokeplay, no cut
Prize money: US$8.5million
Eligibility: (1) Winners of the 2013 Majors and Players Championship. (2) Winners of WGC's in 2013 and 2012 WGC-HSBC Champions. (3) Winners of leading 20 PGA Tour events in 2013. (4) Top 5 available players (not otherwise exempt) from final 2013 PGA Tour FedExCup Points List. (5) Winners of leading 20 Race to Dubai events in 2013 Official Season. (6) Top 5 available players (not otherwise exempt) from the Race to Dubai as of 14th October 2013. (7) Winners of leading events: 6 Asian Tour, 4 Japan Golf Tour, 4 Sunshine Tour, 4 Australasian Tour. (8) 6 Chinese Players. (9) Players (not otherwise exempt) ranked within Top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking as of 14th October 2013
3) Turkish Open (Nov 7th-10th)
Field: 78 players
Format: 72 holes strokeplay, no cut
Prize money: US$7million
Eligibility: (a) Players in top 50 of Official World Golf Rankings as of Monday 14th October 2013, (b) 5 tournament invitations, (c) The balance of the field will be selected in order from the 2013 Race to Dubai following the conclusion of the WGC- HSBC Champions.
4) DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (Nov 14th -17th)
Field: 60 players
Format: 72 holes strokeplay, no cut
Prize money: US$8million
Eligibility: Players in positions 1-60 in The Race to Dubai at the conclusion of The Turkish Open. Each player must have already participated in 12 Race to Dubai events in 2013 and at least two of the three Race to Dubai Tournaments immediately preceding it.
