The European Tour has announced a significant three-year agreement to extend The Race toDubaithrough to the end of 2014 with a new name and title sponsor for the season-ending finale, which will now be known as the DP World Tour Championship,Dubai.
The next three editions of the DP World Tour Championship,Dubai, will return to Jumeirah Golf Estates, host venue since the inaugural Race toDubaiin 2009, with the prize fund increasing by US$500,000 to a total of $8 million, and the winner’s cheque rising from $1.25 million to $1.33 million. Details of the Bonus Pool have yet to be finalised.
From 2012, the field will once again comprise the leading 60 players who qualify through all officially-sanctioned tournaments on The European Tour’s International Schedule, culminating in the re-titled DP World Tour Championship,Dubai, after three seasons as the Dubai World Championship.
DP World, the world’s third largest marine terminal operator, operates more than 60 terminals across six continents. For the first three editions of the Dubai World Championship, DP World has been a presenting sponsor and strong supporter of the event, won in 2009 byEngland’s Lee Westwood and last year by Robert Karlsson ofSweden.
Additionally, DP World will continue to support the Hong Kong Open, the penultimate event on The Race toDubaiand is looking forward to also supporting the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club over the next three years.
The three-year extension to The Race toDubai, which has encompassed 52 tournaments in 29 destinations during 2011 will conclude over the Earth Course at the Nakheel-managed Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Since its launch in 2009, The Race toDubaiconcept has grown in stature, popular with the players and golf supporters alike. Now, the DP World Tour Championship,Dubai, will create a fitting climax to the season from 22-25 November , 2012.
Ali Ahmed Rashid Lootah, Chairman of Nakheel, said: “The Dubai World Championship has enjoyed considerable success over the last three years on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The achievement of this event to date has projected this sporting spectacle onto the world stage and created enormous interest from golf enthusiasts around the globe as the leading players take on the challenge of Greg Norman’s eco-signature Championship Earth Course.”
“We are delighted with the continuing partnership with both DP World and The European Tour and look forward to even greater success in the future at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“The best golfers in the world enjoy returning toDubaiyear after year to experience the culture, the climate and the outstanding quality of the golf courses. Through the continued commitment of Nakheel to complete the development, Jumeirah Golf Estates will only improve as a world class tournament facility.”
Mohammed Sharaf, Chief Executive of DP World said: “DP World is extremely pleased to be associated with this prestigious frontline event. We believe the DP World Tour Championship and The Race toDubaito be significant events forDubai, as it reinforces its position as an international sport and golfing destination.
“Moreover, we in DP World are proud to partner with The European Tour and Jumeirah Golf Estates in supporting this high calibre event which will draw the global golfing fraternity’s attention to the venue for four full days over the next three years, further reiteratingDubai’s success in attracting the best fields in this, as well as other, sports.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, welcomed the three-year extension to The Race to Dubai, saying: “We are delighted to be announcing the start of a new phase for The Race to Dubai and, specifically, the newly re-titled DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“In DP World and Nakheel we have two incredibly strong partners who are fully dedicated to the future success of The Race toDubaiand the DP World Tour Championship,Dubai. We thank them for their continued backing of our season’s finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates and we look forward to further strengthening our association with DP World and Nakheel when our leading world-ranked players return to compete inDubaiover the next three years.”
The European Tour www.europeantour.com