European Tour rule out

The European Tour are reluctant to change the format of their Final Series to ensure the Race to Dubai title is decided at the season-ending event.

Rory McIlroy was so far ahead of his rivals following his two major wins this year that he was crowned European No 1 with a tournament to spare, despite not appearing in the first three Final Series events.

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With the Race to Dubai already decided before the lucrative DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, it was suggested that the European Tour should look to emulate the format of the FedExCup play-offs on the PGA Tour.

FedExCup points earned over the season are reset ahead of the four play-off events, which ensure any player in the top five could win the overall $10m jackpot by winning the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Ahead of the star-studded finale in Dubai, McIlroy admitted he would not object if the Final Series format was changed, but European Tour chief executive George O'Grady believes the Race to Dubai outcome should not be contrived.

O'Grady revealed he was already uncomfortable with the amount of points on offer over the four season-ending events - 10 million for each tournament with the winner claiming 1,666,600 points.

Contrived

"This year, whatever format you had, if Rory McIlroy didn't win your season-long thing, you'd have to say you contrived it," O'Grady said.

"It's been contrived this year on a number of points for all those Final Series events; I'm not too sure I'm mad keen on that. I like something that is clean and easy to understand.

"There is nothing taken away from this event (DP World Tour Championship) because Rory McIlroy has won it (the Race to Dubai). If you just play as well as Rory McIlroy - it's been a spectacular year - then it's the right winner."

O'Grady announced earlier this month he will step down after 10 years in the role once his successor is found, and he is confident he will be leaving the European Tour in excellent condition.

He added: "The European Tour has weathered the recession. We are quite strong and have money in the bank for the first time in quite some time. This is a good time to be going on to the next chapter.

"Anybody could have dreamt up the Race to Dubai if somebody comes at you with a pot of cash, but keeping it going through the recession did require a modicum of skill from the whole team here in Dubai and within the European Tour."

See if Rory McIlroy can end his memorable season with victory in Dubai. All four days of the DP World Tour Championship are live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.