Preparing for the ET Finale

Like the LPGA and the CME Race to the Globe, the European Tour holds its very last event within the Race to Dubai this week -- the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

And in case you did not realize, the 2 leaders -- separated with the aid of a trifling 1613 factors -- are Rory McIlroy and Danny Willett. You would possibly say Rory's the fox and Danny's the hound, even though the ET website online says that there are 5 other gamers able to triumphing need to each McIlroy and Willett falter.

That's one difference between the Race to Dubai and "playoffs" on the opposite tours -- there's no redistribution of factors. The very last four occasions (converting to 3 subsequent season) provide a lot extra points however those factors carry into this week's final occasion.

A total of 60 gamers made it to the finale. The Top7 players within the field -- those who nonetheless have a chance to win the entirety -- are, so as:

1. Rory McIlroy
2. Danny Willett
3. Justin Rose
4. Shane Lowry
5. Louis Oosthuizen
6. Branden Grace
7. Byeong Hun An

It's interesting to note that, although the Race spans 47 events, the actual number of events played by these players varies wildly. Rory played the fewest with 11 while Byeong Hun played the most with 25. (A quick scan of the field showed that the most events played by anyone in the Top60 was 32. I think this is understandable, given that the ET plays in 26 countries on 4 continents. That's a lot of travel!)

You won't be aware of simply how plenty is on the line this week. Most lovers realize the money name is at stake, as is a bonus pool of as much as $6.355mil for the Top15 finishers -- $5mil for the professional pool, plus $1.355mil additional is to be had to gamers who play 3 of the 4 very last events. But there are extra crucial things up for grabs:

• The Race to Dubai winner receives the Harry Vardon Trophy (that's the money title), and a seven year European Tour Card exemption. (That's a Category 1 card, like you get for winning a major.)
• Likewise, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai winner -- if he's a different player -- receives a five year European Tour Card exemption. That's a Category 2 card, which also goes to the winner of the BMW PGA Championship.

So you can see how a win this week could make a player's life much easier for the next few years.

The ET announced this week that they're reducing the membership requirements for the Tour to just 5 non-major and non-WGC events, down from 13 total events, starting in 2016. They also announced that reduction from 4 to 3 playoff events. Most of the talk has been how it will make it easier for world players to maintain some loyalty to the ET as well as make it easier to qualify for the Ryder Cup, but the timing also helps the winners of those ET cards this week. It will be much easier for those winners to retain their freshly-won cards, giving them the freedom to play more or less on the ET depending on how they fare on the PGA and other tours.

So this week ought to potentially kickstart some budding international careers -- like Danny Willett's and Shane Lowry's -- with out the hazard of burnout from a lot journey. This week can certainly be a life-changer.

GC's live coverage starts tonight -- at least, it's tonight here in the States -- but there are two different tournaments being broadcast so make sure you get the times straight. The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai starts at 3am ET Thursday morning. In addition, tonight at 8pm ET they'll be broadcasting the Australian Masters. If you plan to record the Race to Dubai event, make sure you get the correct time!