Race to Dubai: Thriston Lawrence able to problem Rory McIlroy at DP World Tour Championship in Dubai

Thriston Lawrence says it might “mean the world” to grab Race to Dubai victory from Rory McIlroy by successful the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Lawrence is the one participant who can nonetheless catch McIlroy within the season-long standings heading into the ultimate occasion of the marketing campaign, reside on Sky Sports activities, though he wants a victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates and for the Northern Irishman to complete outdoors of the highest 11.

The South African has had 5 runner-up finishes – together with at The Open and the BMW PGA Championship – and 5 extra top-10s throughout a formidable marketing campaign, leaving him at the moment 1,785 factors behind McIlroy with 2,000 accessible to the winner in Dubai.

“It’s nice to have a chance,” Lawrence mentioned in his pre-tournament press convention. “It’s going to take a lot, but just incredible to have an opportunity. I’m very grateful just to be inside the top 50 to be able to compete this week.

“It has been an unbelievable 12 months. Rory [McIlroy] has been an idol for me since rising up as a teenager and having the ability to clinch it this week can be the cherry on the cake for myself.

“It would mean the world – being the best golfer on the European Tour over the year is an unbelievable achievement. Sitting here right now, I’ve achieved a lot of things that I’ve wanted to. But to get this trophy behind me would be just unbelievably.”

Lawrence received twice on the DP World Tour in every of his first two seasons and has since moved contained in the world’s prime 50 regardless of his solely 2024 victory approaching the Sunshine Tour, with the 27-year-old pleased with his development as a golfer.

“The consistency has been the highlight,” Lawrence added. “Finishing in the top 10 ten times this year proves that I’m growing as a golfer and I’m getting more comfortable out here.

“Clearly ranking-wise, it is the most effective season I’ve had in my life. I received twice in my rookie 12 months, twice final 12 months. This 12 months, I received on the Sunshine Tour which is sweet. I at all times really feel like with the power of golfers in in the present day’s time, successful on any tour is sort of an achievement.

“Not won on this tour yet, but still one event left so maybe it’s my time this week. Where I am now, it just feels comfortable. It feels like I can win every week. Just to see myself grow from two years ago is just unbelievable.”

Lawrence leads race for ‘career-changing’ PGA Tour spot

The highest 10 gamers on the Race to Dubai Rankings – not already exempt – after the DP World Tour Championship may even earn a PGA Tour card for the 2025 season, with Lawrence at the moment in pole place and guaranteed of twin membership for subsequent season.

Robert MacIntyre was among the many gamers to profit from the formal pathway between the 2 excursions final season, successful twice on the PGA Tour and reaching the Tour Championship, with the Scot’s success highlighting the alternatives on provide for gamers.

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“Career changing, 100 per cent,” MacIntyre mentioned about breaking onto the PGA Tour. “I’m in a position now that I can pick. I’ve now got to the top level of professional golf, the top 25 per cent of professional golfers.

“You may then choose your schedule and also you’re in all the foremost occasions and also you’re in all the highest occasions you’ll be able to play in and you may choose and select, and that is the place you wish to be.

“Last year I obviously played a lot and that’s because you have to play the events you get in. I said it from when these cards came about, what an opportunity it is to get as high up the world of golf as you can.

“I feel nearly all of golfers out right here have gotten that dream, as properly. There’s loads of guys that may get there.”

Who will win the Race to Dubai? Watch the DP World Tour Championship this week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage starts on Thursday from 7am on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports activities or stream the DP World Tour and extra with NOW.