11th DPWTC Review: Double Dubai Delight

Like Rory McIlroy, JON RAHM has sadly become a once-a-season visitor to the Middle East. Thankfully, the new WORLD NO. 3 has become adept at making the most of his rare desert appearances, clinching a second DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE to be crowned 2019 RACE TO DUBAI champion.

- Kent Gray

No one will ever compare to the incomparable Seve Ballesteros, even if they end up with more titles than the late, great Spanish genius. Jon Rahm sure is having fun trying though. After as dramatic a Sunday as just about anyone could bear on Earth, the 25-year-old added another chapter to his growing legend by capturing the DP World Tour Championship for the second time in three years.

First though, some housekeeping to clean up the glorious chaos of the final day of the European Tour season on Earth. A closing 68, brilliant at first, sprinkled with a little mid-round wobble, and finally garnished with lashings of courage and skill, saw the Spaniard win the Tour Championship on -19, a shot clear of back-to-back Race to Dubai bridesmaid Tommy Fleetwood. The sandy birdie he made on 18 to sneak home won’t get the repeated replays of Henrik Stenson’s 2013 eagle but spoke volumes of Rahm’s mettle under the blowtorch.

Rahm’s 269 aggregate eerily matched his winning total here two years ago and earned him the biggest first prize cheque in golf, $3 million. Add the $2 million he cashed for winning the Race to Dubai for the first time and yes, we have another golfer and his family set for life. Not bad after six weeks off, five of them without even touching his sticks.