Winners and losers from DP World Tour Championship as Jon Rahm shines

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  • Jon Rahm has secured the Race to Dubai title with a one-shot victory at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday.

    Here, we look at the winners and losers from Jumeirah Golf Estates.

    WINNERS

    JON RAHM

    The new champion looks to have taken his game to a new level in 2019 with crisp driving at the heart of an exciting skillset.

    Although the 25-year-old will be disappointed with some parts of his putting game, he still posted 26 birdies and one eagle across the weekend to finish on 19-under par score of 269 and cap off a stunning season.

    It was his third win of the year, and judging by his array of shot selection this weekend, many more should follow if he can stay confident and continue to work hard on and off the course.

    TOMMY FLEETWOOD

    The Englishman, backed by strong support all weekend, produced the magic when it mattered and kept the fight for the Race to Dubai title right up until the final hole.

    Of course, he’ll be disappointed not to end the year as European number one again, but the Southport native should be proud of his strong season.

    His second place finish in Dubai – added to a stunning victory in Sun City two weeks ago – is remarkably consistent and deserves its plaudits.

    MIKE LORENZO-VERA

    The Frenchman warrants serious credit for being able to keep the pace for the entire weekend and not falling away when the pressure was on.

    Leading three of the four rounds, and backed by the immense pressure of being in the final group on the last day, Lorenzo-Vera shot four birdies and two bogeys to finish on 17 under in third.

    Winless on the European Tour, this was his best opportunity to prevail to date. However, in a stacked field like Dubai, it is always going to be difficult when the temperature increased on the final day.

    LOSERS

    BERND WIESBERGER

    Leading the Race to Dubai standings ahead of the weekend and needing Rahm or Fleetwood to finish outside the top-two, many expected the Austrian to finish the season as European number one.

    But the Vienna man couldn’t find get firing and he finished in a tie for 28th on two-under.

    He’ll be hugely disappointed with his overall display in the season-ending tournament but, on reflection, Wiesberger should be happy with his season, which saw him yield three victories and make an early statement in his bid to qualify for the 2020 Ryder Cup team.

    FRANCESCO MOLINARI

    For long stretches of 2018, Molinari was the hottest player in the world.

    But since April of this year, he has lacked that same cutting edge and has zero top-10s from 12 starts.

    Back in Jumeirah Golf Estates, where he lifted the Harry Vardon Trophy last November, the 38-year-old stuttered to a T40 finish.

    His second round will have frustrated him, posting three bogeys and a double bogey for a score of 76.

    Maybe the off-season will do him the world of good.

    TYRRELL HATTON

    The Englishman arrived in Dubai full of optimism after his impressive victory in Turkey three weeks ago.

    But the 28-year-old struggled around the Earth course and could only manage a four-over par score of 292 to finish in a dismal 46th place.

    The High Wycombe native was tipped to finish the season strongly in the UAE, but 11 bogeys and two double bogeys across the four rounds will disappoint him.

    His second round, in particular, is one he will want to forget fast, after posting a seven-over par 79, including two bogeys and a double in the space of four holes.

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