Monday 31 October 2016 17:09, UK
The European Tour Race to Dubai Final Series gets underway this week at the Turkish Airlines Open. Here's all you need to know about the three-tournament finale to the 2016 season...
What has changed this season?
The Final Series has been reduced from four tournaments to three for this season. It starts with the Turkish Airlines Open before moving on to South Africa next week for the Nedbank Golf Challenge.Then the top 60 in the Race to Dubai standings tee it up in the DP World Tour Championship at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.
What is at stake?
In short, money, silverware and a long exemption. Whoever tops the Race to Dubai standings at the end of the three events not only claims the Harry Vardon Trophy as Europe's No 1 golfer for the year, but also earns himself a seven-year automatic membership for the European Tour.
Who is the defending champion?
Rory McIlroy made it back-to-back Race to Dubai victories 12 months ago as he won the season-ending event to pip Danny Willett. McIlroy came out on top on the Earth Course after a thrilling battle with Andy Sullivan, clinching a tense one-shot victory to be crowned European No 1 for the third time in four years.
Can McIlroy do it again?
Unlikely! McIlroy is currently third in the R2D standings and he trails leader Henrik Stenson by just over one million euros/points. He pulled out of the Turkish Airlines Open due to security concerns and is not playing in South Africa either.
Who is favourite this year?
Stenson might be in the lead at the moment after his excellent week at the WGC-HSBC Champions, but he is also missing the Final Series opener in Turkey. Of the top three, only Masters champion Willett is playing all three weeks. He will look to reclaim the outright lead with a strong performance at the Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort.
Willett is also a former Nedbank champion at the Gary Player Country Club, so he is arguably the favourite by a narrow margin over Stenson.
How many in the field?
There will be 78 players teeing up in Turkey, and 72 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, which has replaced the BMW Masters in the Final Series this season. Only those who finished in the top 110 in the Race to Dubai are eligible to earn points in each event. The top 60 then head to Dubai for the grand finale.
What about prize money?
All three tournaments offer prize purses significantly higher than the majority of regular-season events. There is $7m up for grabs at each of the first two events, and a further $8m in Dubai.
Players finishing the season in the Race to Dubai's top 15 will then share a $5m bonus pool, with $1.25m of that going to the eventual champion.
How can I follow the action?
Like every other event on the European Tour schedule, all four days of each of the three Final Series events will be live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Coverage begins on Thursday at 9am.
