Staff WriterIf you thought last year’s finish to the season was rowdy, hold onto your falcons—because the DP World Tour Play-Offs are flying back into the UAE next month, and the stage is already set for a finale that would make Seve smile.
With less than four weeks to go, the countdown kicked off in suitably dramatic fashion at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, with reigning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Paul Waring on hand to remind us all how quickly fortunes can change in golf.
The Play-Offs, launched last year with all the subtlety of a Bryson DeChambeau drive, proved an instant hit. Course records fell, crowds swarmed Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Rory McIlroy left town carrying more silverware than a burglar at Buckingham Palace. Now, the Tour is doubling down, rolling out back-to-back Rolex Series events that will decide the season’s Race to Dubai champion.
First up is the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from November 6-9, celebrating its 20th anniversary with the leading 70 players battling for the Falcon Trophy. A week later, the field shrinks to the top 50 at the DP World Tour Championship (November 13-16), where the season’s Race to Dubai king will be crowned.
Last year, McIlroy did his best impression of a Dubai property developer—snapping up every trophy in sight. He not only clinched the DP World Tour Championship for the third time but also secured a sixth Harry Vardon Trophy, matching the great Seve Ballesteros. He’s confirmed he’ll be back, eyeing Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight season-long titles.
Waring, who beat McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton at Yas Links to secure his first Rolex Series title, was quick to relive the moment.
“Winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last season was one of the most memorable moments of my golf career,” said Waring.
“Having two back-to-back Rolex Series events to close out the season in the UAE was incredibly exciting, especially now that I’m based here. Although I won’t be competing this year due to injury, I’m really looking forward to watching the action unfold at both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship.”
Ryder Cup Heroes, Global Stage
The DP World Tour Play-Offs won’t be short of star power. Alongside McIlroy, Europe’s Ryder Cup warriors are marching in. Ludvig Åberg, Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Noren, Justin Rose, and Robert MacIntyre—all part of Europe’s first away Ryder Cup victory since 2012—will light up the fairways of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The heavy hitters off the course were out in force at the launch too. His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, was quick to underline what the Play-Offs mean for the region.
“We are delighted to welcome the world’s best golfers to Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of the DP World Tour Play-Offs. The two events represent a platform that brings together elite golfers from around the world.
The 20th edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship highlights the incredible growth of golf in the UAE and our nation’s success in hosting major international tournaments. Hosting this milestone event in the Emirate reinforces its position as a global sporting destination, offering a world-class experience for both players and fans.”
General Abdullah Alhashmi, President of the Emirates Golf Federation, echoed the sentiment: “Having worked alongside the DP World Tour for more than 30 years, we are proud of what has been achieved during that time.
The launch of the DP World Tour Play-Offs last season reflected the trust the Tour has placed in the UAE, with this year’s second staging set to deliver two weeks of world-class golf that will once again showcase our country on the global stage.”
From HSBC to DP World, the corporate backing is as strong as the field. Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Chief Executive, UAE, HSBC Bank Middle East, noted:
“We are proud to be part of the DP World Tour Play-Offs, an iconic event that embodies excellence and brings together the best in sports and community.
The UAE’s rise as a centre of sporting and economic excellence mirrors our own journey of growth and connectivity over nearly 80 years, and we are delighted to see the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship take centre stage with the DP World Tour Championship in such a thrilling highlight of both the UAE and global sporting calendar.”
Daniel Van Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer of DP World, added his perspective: “The return of the DP World Tour Play-Offs to the UAE is an incredible opportunity to showcase sport at its very best. We are proud to help bring the world’s top players together for this year’s thrilling season finale.
At DP World, innovation and progress are at the heart of everything we do, and our support for the Play-Offs reflects that spirit. By helping deliver a fresh, dynamic format, we aim to inspire fans and elevate the game not only across the region but around the world.”
And Tom Phillips, Director of Middle East for the Tour, summed up the excitement:
“After the hugely successful debut of the DP World Tour Play-Offs last year, we are thrilled to bring back two of the region’s most prestigious sporting events on consecutive weekends.
This unique Play-Offs format creates a truly compelling finale to the season, combining world-class golf with the excitement and energy of the UAE.
From record-breaking performances to unforgettable moments on and off the course, last year set a high standard, and this year we expect the eyes of the golfing world to be firmly fixed on Abu Dhabi and Dubai once again.
It is a fantastic showcase for the UAE as a global hub for sport and an unmissable experience for fans both locally and internationally.”
From Brisbane to Dubai—The Race Comes Home
To hammer home the global reach of the Tour, attendees were shown a CGI video tracing the season’s journey—from Brisbane to China, Ireland, and finally to the UAE—via a giant travelling golf ball. If that doesn’t say “world tour,” nothing does.
When the dust settles in November, the UAE won’t just be the stage for the season’s best golf—it’ll be the arena where careers are cemented, records are rewritten, and fans are reminded why the DP World Tour Play-Offs have become the hottest ticket in golf outside Augusta.
Tickets for both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship are available now at dpworldtour.com.
