The Race to Dubai intensifies

Only two events remain before the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World and the race is on to both qualify for the end of season finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates and secure cards for the 2012 season.

For many, the goal is to climb into the top 60 on The Race to Dubai and earn a place in the elite field in Dubai. There they will take on the the Earth Course from December 8-11 and vie for a share of the $7.5 million prize money and potential slice of the $7.5 million Bonus Pool earned by the top 15. For those further down the Race to Dubai the aim over the next two weeks is simply survival.

The cut-off point to retain playing privileges for The 2012 European Tour International Schedule is currently 118th on The Race to Dubai – comprising the top 115 Members from Categories 1-14 along with any Category 15 or Affiliate Members,  with Fredrik Jacobson (34th), Ryan Moore (69th) and Jbe Kruger (99th) falling into that camp.

All eyes are therefore on this week’s SA Open Championship at Serengeti Golf Club, Ekurhuleni, South Africa and next week’s UBS Hong Kong Open at Fanling Golf Club, Hong Kong, as the battle for a top 60 place and for European Tour survival enters the critical stage.

Some of those on the bubble will play both events while others may only have one remaining opportunity so both events could be decisive.

In terms of the top 60 on The Race to Dubai, Scot Stephen Gallacher occupies the all-important 60th place and will be looking to consolidate his position in the UBS Hong Kong Open, the penultimate event of the season.

For those fighting for their cards, Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin is the man right on the mark in 118th position with €236,980 and he will be playing both of the last two events as he looks to retain his place and keep his Northern Irish flag flying alongside those of Major Champions Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy and recent Alfred Dunhill Links Champion, Michael Hoey.

Welshman Phillip Price, the three-time European Tour Champion and hero of The 2002 Ryder Cup, also faces an anxious fortnight in South Africa and Hong Kong from his position of 117th on The Race to Dubai, while another former European Tour Champion, Marcus Brier of Austria, is in the last chance saloon as he competes in his final event of the season this week in South Africa.

Spain’s Carlos Del Moral, 115th on The Race to Dubai, is also faced with his final opportunity of the season this week at Serengeti Golf Club, as is Chile’s Mark Tullo in 113th. England’s Simon Khan (114th)  is exempt through his 2010 BMW PGA Championship win but just ahead of him are another two European Tour Champions – Damien McGrane and Marc Warren – the Irishman playing in Hong Kong only while Warren can do no more as he is in neither event.

India’s Shiv Kapur is the first man on the outside looking in and will hope to capitalise on his place in the UBS Hong Kong Open and local knowledge of conditions in Asia as he strives to climb into the top 118. South Africa’s Keith Horne is in the field for both events looking to move up from 120th, while England’s Richard McEvoy has to make the grade this week if he is to be back next season without having to go through the Qualifying School.

Stephen Dodd of Wales, another three-time European Tour winner, will be competing in both of the next two events as he looks to keep his place on The European Tour, as he has done for more than a decade.

The next fortnight promises plenty of drama and tension as the various sub plots unfold, and the sprint for the line is on.

Players fighting for their cards - and the tournaments they have remaining:-

• Won the 2010 BMW PGA Championship, exempt for 2012
  * Won the St Omer Open presented by NEUFLIZE, exempt for 2012
  ** Currently ranks within the top 40 on the Career Money List, exempt for 2012
  
  
  The 2011 Race to Dubai

South African Open Prize Money Breakdown