Sergio Garcia Makes Big Move in Race to Dubai

Editor’s note: Complimentary tickets to the 2011 Dubai World Championship are available at www.DubaiWorldChampionship.com.

By Alan Ewens

Sergio Garcia swats one on the 18th at the Earth Course.

REJUVENATED SERGIO GARCIA IS HOPING to keep his impressive run of form going to the end of the 2011 campaign as he targets a place in the top 15 in The Race to Dubai at the season ending Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. The Spaniard completed back-to-back successes for the first time on the European Tour with victory in last week’s Andalucía Masters, a week after also winning on home soil in the Castelló Masters, to move from 11th place to seventh in The Race to Dubai.

Now the 31 year-old is eyeing more success when he concludes his 2011 season at the third edition of the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World over the Earth course, Jumeirah Golf Estates from December 8-11.

Garcia, who currently leads the European Ryder Cup points list, has been in fine form in the latter part of the 2011, finishing in the top ten in both the US Open Championship and Open Championship and losing a play-off to Pablo Larrazabal in the BMW International Open, in addition to his two victories. Those performances have propelled him up The Race to Dubai standings—as well as up to 18th on the Official World Golf Ranking—and he is firmly on course to finish in the top 15 which earn a share of the US$ 7.5 million Bonus Pool at the conclusion of the Dubai World Championship.

Garcia said: “It’s great to have made such a big move in The Race to Dubai over the last two weeks. It’s amazing what two victories can do for you and to move from 23rd into the top ten in the space of seven days is very satisfying.

“I am playing well at the moment and it feels great to be back winning at the top level again. Hopefully I can keep this form going until the Dubai World Championship because that is a very important week for every European Tour player and it would be great to go there and try to win again.”

Donald Withdraws

Luke Donald’s withdrawal from this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions to be at the birth of his second child means his rivals have the chance to close the gap at the top of The Race to Dubai.

Englishman Donald has a €1,312,823 advantage over second placed Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, with Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and England’s Lee Westwood making up the top five. Denmark’s Anders Hansen is sixth with Garcia seventh and three-time winner in 2011 Thomas Björn in eighth.

(Photo: Alan Ewens, Dubai World Championship)