Garcia moves into Race to Dubai bonus position with win
Sergio Garcia’s stunning 11 shot victory in last week’s Costelló Masters propelled the Spaniard to 11th place in The Race to Dubai and into position to claim a portion of the US$ 7.5 million Bonus Pool on offer to the top 15 players at the conclusion of the forthcoming Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.
Garcia, who was 23rd in The Race to Dubai before his win at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, joins many of the world’s finest players among The Race to Dubai’s elite top 15, where everyone is trying to close the gap on the current, undisputed Number One in the game, Luke Donald.
Donald became the first European to win the US PGA Tour Money List following his brilliant victory in America on Sunday evening and the Englishman will now head to the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates seeking to complete a unique double of being ranked the best player on both The European and US PGA Tours in the same season.
That achievement has never before been realised, and with a €1,312,826 lead over second placed Rory McIlroy in The Race to Dubai, Donald is favourite to make history at the Dubai World Championship, from December 8-11.
However there are a number of world class players breathing down his neck and ready to pounce.
Donald is likely to play less of the season’s remaining events than his nearest challengers, giving the likes of US Open Champion McIlroy, Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel (third), Martin Kaymer (fourth) and Lee Westwood (fifth) a chance to close the gap at some of the money-spinning tournaments being staged over the next six weeks, before the season’s climax in Dubai.
Given his victory performance last week, few would rule out Garcia taking another chunk out of his old Ryder Cup partner’s formidable Race to Dubai lead at this week’s Andalucía Masters at Club de Golf Valderrama.
Garcia was, at points last week, back to his imperious best, displaying the range of ball-striking and shot-making skills that make him a joy to watch. His first win in three years will be an important, confidence-building milestone as the Spaniard looks to rejoin Donald and Co. back at the highest echelons of the world game and he will head to Valderrama with a spring in his step.
Kaymer, second at last year’s Andalucía Masters to Graeme McDowell, will be looking to go one better this week in his own bid to close the gap on Donald as The Race to Dubai continues towards another intriguing conclusion.
Complimentary tickets to see Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald and the rest of the world-class field at the 2011 Dubai World Championship presented by DP World and held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.
