DP World pro determined to hold Rory McIlroy from being #1: “It's going to take a lot but incredible to have an opportunity” 

DP World Tour pro Thriston Lawrence is determined to win the Race to Dubai standings ahead of Rory McIlroy as they head into the season-concluding championship this week. The top 50 players in the Race to Dubai list will compete at the 2024 DP World Tour Championship, which will take place from November 14 to 17 at Jumeirah Golf Estate in Dubai.

After the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Rory McIlroy is leading the Race to Dubai standings with 4,997.66 points, followed by Lawrence, who is second with 3,212.64 points. For the South African to win the Race to Dubai standings, he has to win the DP World Tour Championship, and McIlroy needs to finish outside the top 10.

Thriston Lawrence opened up about his chances of winning the title in a press conference ahead of the DP World Tour Championship, expressing hope for a victory this week. Lawrence said (via ASAP Sports):

"Yeah, it's quite funny. It's nice to have a chance, obviously. It's going to take a lot. I think I need to win and Rory (McIlroy) probably needs to finish outside the top 10. I haven't done the maths yet."

"But just incredible to have an opportunity. So I'm very grateful just to be inside the Top-50 to be able to compete this week. It's been an unbelievable year, and yeah, Rory has been an idol for me since growing up as a youngster and being able to clinch it this week would be the cherry on the cake for myself," he added.

The 2024 DP World Tour Championship is a four-day event featuring a stellar field of only 50 players. Some of the top-ranked European Tour players competing this week are Rasmus Hojgaard, Billy Horschel, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, and Tommy Fleetwood.

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Rory McIlroy optimistic about winning the Race to Dubai standings: "I do feel in a good position"

Rory McIlroy, leading the season standings, is hopeful of claiming the title in 2024. In the DP World Tour Championship press conference, McIlroy discussed his game and the close competition between him and Thriston Lawrence for the season-long contest. He said (via European Tour):

"I do feel in a good position," McIlroy said. "Obviously I wanted to birdie the last, anyway, but I know that birdie, even if it isn't to win the tournament this week, it obviously gives me that little bit extra of a cushion going into next week."

“Every shot counts at this moment in time, and I was glad to make the four at the last and at least give myself half a chance at this tournament this week but also give myself a little bit more of a cushion going into Dubai next week as well," he added.

Rory McIlroy has been impressive on the DP World Tour in 2024. He started the year on the circuit, finishing second at the Dubai Invitational, and later won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy recorded three runner-up finishes this season on the DP World Tour, including the Irish Open, BMW PGA Championship, and Dubai Invitational. The World No. 3 has shown strong form on the circuit and has a good chance to win both the season-ending DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai standings.

Meanwhile, Thriston Lawrence has also had some impressive performances on the DP World Tour this season. He was tied for second at the Dubai Invitational, SDC Championship, European Open, Betfred British Masters, and the BMW PGA Championship. He last played at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and finished T6.