In Pictures

Gallery

In Pictures: Race to Dubai winners

Previously called the Order of Merit, Al Jazeera looks back at the past winners of European Tour’s money prize.

Team Europe golfer McIlroy celebrates winning the Ryder Cup during the 39th Ryder Cup singles golf matches at the Medinah Country Club
The Race to Dubai is the ultimate prize on the European tour. It is awarded to the golfer with the greatest prize money at the end of the tour. Rory McIroy currently leads the race although South Africa(***)s Branden Grace is closing him down.
Published On 10 Oct 2012
Dubai Golf World Championship
In 2011, England(***)s Luke Donald won both the US PGA Tour money list and the Race to Dubai. His closest rival, Rory McIlroy, handed the European prize to Donald when he failed to win the season finale, the Dubai World Championship.
Advertisement
Germany''s Martin Kaymer poses with the Race to Dubai trophy after the final round of the Dubai World Championship European PGA golf tournament in Dubai
Martin Kaymer was the man who holed the putt to give Europe victory in the 2012 Ryder Cup. However, 2010 was also a big year for the German golfer. On the back of his US PGA Championship win, he held off Ireland(***)s Graham McDowell to win the Race of Dubai. 
Dubai World Championship - Final Round
In 2009, Rory McIlroy(***)s youthful aspirations were thwarted by England(***)s Lee Westwood. Then only 20, McIlroy led Westwood going into the Dubai World Championship but couldn(***)t compete as Westwood shot a course record 64 to finish on 23 under par. 
Robert Karlson of Sweden tees off on the
Before Dubai, the top European prize was known as the Order of Merit. The prize was still awarded to the golfer who won the most money on the European Tour. In 2008, Robert Karlson shrugged off Lee Westwood to become the first Swede to the win the Order of Merit title.
Justin Rose
Winner of the 2006 tournament, Ireland(***)s Padraig Harrington couldn(***)t achive back-to-back victories when Justin Rose won the Order of Merit for the first time in 2007. Rose knew he had already claimed the award when he went into a three way playoff for the Volvo Masters, but he managed to win that too!    
Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie watche
With eight to his name, Scotland(***)s Colin Montgomerie has won the most Order of Merit awards. The first came in 1993 and the last in 2005. He is also the third highest money earner on the European Tour of all time with over $30 million of winnings. There(***)s good money in golf, eh! 
Advertisement
STAMP OF SEVERIANO BALLESTEROS
Another man known for his prowess on the European golf tour was the late and great Seve Ballesteros. The Spaniard won six Order of Merit awards, the last coming in 1991. Next in the all-time list comes England(***)s Peter Oosterhuis (4) and Scotland(***)s Sandy Lyle (3).