Rose, Poulter, McDowell and Stenson in the hunt as race to £1.5m Dubai prize reaches last lap

By Derek Lawrenson for the Daily Mail

Published: 17:31 EST, 11 November 2013 | Updated: 04:34 EST, 12 November 2013

Justin Rose talked earlier in the year about organising some winter money matches with his fellow  residents at Lake Nona, so they could keep their hand in.

How about a big-money one in Dubai this week for starters, with the title of Europe’s No 1 on the line and a couple of cheques running into seven figures in dollars?

Yes, after 45 tournaments spread over 25 countries, the Race to Dubai has reached its final lap, and it all rests between four men who live within 500 yards of one another in the same gated community on the outskirts of Orlando.

In form: Justin Rise appears the man most likely to finish top of the European pile

Catch me if you can: Henrik Stenson currently occupies the top spot

From England, there’s Rose himself and Ian Poulter; from Northern Ireland, Graeme McDowell. And from Sweden, the man they’re still trying to catch, despite the fact his right wrist and both halves of his brain are giving way from playing too much golf: Henrik Stenson.

Basically, the first three know if they win the final event, the DP World Tour Championship, the whole shooting match will be theirs, including a combined cheque from the event and bonus pool amounting to £1.5million.

What makes this the most exciting race in years is that the trio of leading pursuers are all in good form.

Poulter had chances to win both last week in Turkey and the previous week in China and is desperate to claim a first title this year before the race is run. McDowell has three wins to his name and comes here refreshed after a week at home.

Challengers: Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell also have a great chance to take the prize

The man with the best chance, though, must be Rose, who has given a good impression of the class act bringing the leader into view heading into the final straight.

He likes the venue, too. Indeed, his last round on the Earth course was positively out of this world, a course-record 62 last year that lifted him into second place behind Rory McIlroy. 

What a finish we have in store, then, and a Lake Nona fourball with a thrilling difference.

MORE TO GOLF THAN WINNING?

‘Winning is not the only thing,’ said the American Briny Baird after tossing away a title in South Carolina on Sunday — and, boy, he should know.

During a 17-year PGA tour career, the 41-year-old American has amassed 365 starts without breaking the tape once. But here’s the thing: he has now smashed through the $13million (£8.1m) barrier in career earnings, not to mention the millions he has amassed in the PGA Tour’s incredibly lucrative pension scheme. 

‘I’d rather be the guy with the most money who hasn’t won than the guy with the least amount who won once,’ added Baird, with depressing honesty.

With such priorities, is it any wonder he hasn’t won?

Low priorities: Briny Baird threw away a chance at a first career win in South Carolina on Sunday

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

‘It was something I told myself as a kid, but for a long time it wasn’t really attainable. Now I am getting close and I would dearly love to get there.’

Week one of Adam Scott’s month-long homecoming ended with victory in the Australian PGA Championship on Sunday.

Now the world No 2 has set his sights on overtaking Tiger Woods.

In his sights: Adam Scott is looking to overtake Tiger Woods as the world No 1

RIGHT MOVE FOR MATCH PLAY

Before the curtain comes down in Dubai next Sunday, they will announce the European Tour schedule for 2014 — and I can reveal one piece of news that will certainly be worth a cheer or three: the restoration of the Volvo World Match Play Championship as a glorious autumn festival.

For the last three years, the event has been staged in Europe in May, stuck between the flagship events on either side of the Atlantic and, frankly, feeling like a filler event as a consequence.

Now it is being moved back to the more appropriate October date it held for so long at Wentworth. As it follows swiftly on from the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, it should tap into our heightened appetite for matchplay golf.

On the move: The Volvo World Match Play Championship will move to October

So, what chance the good news continuing and it being staged in its spiritual home of these shores?

‘We’re excited to be returning to the October date and our hope is that this will mean a return to the UK,’ said Guy Kinnings, global head of IMG Golf, who promote the event.

Kinnings is a passionate advocate for another tour event in England, so fingers crossed.