The one-month countdown to the 2016 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai officially began on Monday after H.E. Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, hit a ceremonial tee shot from the first tee of the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The top 60 players in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings will gather at the venue to contest the season-ending grand finale, worth US$8 million, from November 17 to 20.  The tournament consists of four rounds of stroke-play with no cut.

His Excellency fired a straight drive of 190 yards, as a group of dignitaries and members of the media looked on, to officially signal the run in to this year’s tournament.

The DP World Tour Championship is the final tournament on The European Tour’s season-long Race to Dubai, spanning 47 tournaments in 27 destinations across five continents. An additional Bonus Pool of US$5 million will be split between the top ten finishers on the 2016 Race to Dubai.

Nick Tarratt, Director, European Tour – Dubai, said: “It’s exciting to have the eighth DP World Tour Championship here at Jumeirah Golf Estates in one month’s time to showcase the top players on the European Tour.

“The Race to Dubai has 47 events in 27 destinations and they visit here for the culmination of a great series around the world. Our mantra is ‘play where the pros play’ so it’s hard to find a better place to come for a golfing holiday. It really is the place to be.”

The past champions of Race to Dubai include Lee Westwood (2009), Martin Kaymer (2010), Luke Donald (2011), Rory McIlroy (2012), Henrik Stenson (2013) and Rory McIlroy (2014, 2015).

Spectators can register for free fast track entry tickets for the 2016 DP World Tour Championship at www.dpworldtourchampionship.com

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