Golf:German Martin Kaymer finds himself both the hunted and the hunter at this week's Dubai World Championship. Going into the final event of the European Tour season the 25-year-old has a lead of just over €290,000 over Graeme McDowell, his only remaining challenger, at the top of the money list.
But while McDowell is chasing the top-three finish that could see him snatch the €1.1million Race to Dubai bonus from his Ryder Cup team-mate, Kaymer also has another chance to reach the world number one spot.
Lee Westwood is the one defending his position there, but to stay on top he would have to finish second if Kaymer wins on Sunday and cannot afford to be worse than 27th if Kaymer is second on his own.
This is the event that made Westwood more than €1.8million richer 12 months ago. He trailed Rory McIlroy in the Order of Merit race with a week to go, but with a staggering 23-under-par total on the 7,675-yard Earth course at Jumeirah Estates he scooped the jackpot — the tournament first prize of just over €870,000 and the bonus of nearly €1.05million.
Because of the exchange rates, the sums up for grabs are even more astonishing this time round. Both Kaymer and McDowell would walk away with €2million if they do the same double as Westwood.
And do not feel too sorry for them if they fail. The lowest Kaymer can drop to on the money list is second and that is worth a bonus of almost €820,000.
Ulsterman McDowell, meanwhile, could be pushed down into third spot by Westwood - himself just too far back to catch Kaymer - and that would earn him €546,000.
“It’s been a fantastic season for me,” stated Kaymer. “To win my first major (the US PGA) and to be part of the winning Ryder Cup team is way above my expectations to be honest. Obviously when you win a major you know that you can win any tournament in the world.
“I’ve played very well the last few months and going into this week I feel confident about my game. Hopefully I can play well and make sure that I win the Race to Dubai somehow.”
McDowell has produced a first, tied third and fifth place in his last four starts.
“I am very happy with my form and my energy levels going into Dubai. Of course I am within touching distance now and I’ve got to play well, simple as that,” said the 31-year-old, who knows that victory on Sunday would guarantee him the money list number one spot.
“I can’t control Martin’s golf ball - only mine. I’m going to go and play my own game and see what happens. I have a few things to brush up on, but all in all I’m feeling really good about my game. I’m playing well enough to win and that’s all I can ask.”
Tee-times in the first round of the European Tour Dubai World Championship, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(Gbr & Irl unless stated, Irish in
boldall times Irish):
(x) denotes amateurs
Starting at hole 1
03.30Thomas Aiken (Rsa), Soren Hansen (Den)
03.40Robert Jan Derksen (Ned), Johan Edfors (Swe)
03.50Gregory Bourdy (Fra), Thomas Bjorn (Den)
04.00Robert Rock, Marcus Fraser (Aus)
04.10Henrik Stenson (Swe), Gary Boyd
04.20John Parry, Chris Wood
04.30Oliver Wilson, Richie Ramsay
04.40Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Brett Rumford (Aus)
04.50Sergio Garcia (Spa), Ignacio Garrido (Spa)
05.00Jamie Donaldson, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra)
05.15Seung-yul Noh (Kor), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)
05.25Y.E. Yang (Kor),
Peter Lawrie
05.35
Gareth Maybin, Damien McGrane
05.45Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa)
05.55Simon Dyson,
Darren Clarke
06.05David Horsey, Matteo Manassero (Ita)
06.15Joost Luiten (Ned), Gregory Havret (Fra)
06.25Stephen Gallacher, Simon Khan
06.35Retief Goosen (Rsa), Danny Willett
06.45Anders Hansen (Den), Robert Karlsson (Swe)
07.00Fredrik Andersson Hed (Swe), Richard Green (Aus)
07.10
Pádraig Harrington, Rhys Davies
07.20Peter Hanson (Swe), Alvaro Quiros (Spa)
07.30Ross Fisher, Luke Donald
07.40
Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey
07.50Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
08.00Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa)
08.10Ernie Els (Rsa), Ian Poulter
08.20Francesco Molinari (Ita), Lee Westwood
08.30
Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer (Ger)