Yet there’s an uncomfortable question hanging in the air: can McIlroy truly be regarded as Europe’s best when he’s scarcely competed on European soil this year?
The Northern Irish star has appeared in just five non-Major DP World Tour events this season. For comparison, Marco Penge, currently second in the Race to Dubai standings, has teed it up in 24. That raises a fair question: would it not be more fitting for the Englishman to take the season’s top honour?
Penge’s resurgence
Marco Penge has undergone a remarkable transformation this season, surging up the world rankings barely a year after narrowly keeping his DP World Tour card. He endured a major setback in December, serving a three-month ban for betting violations, but has since come roaring back with three victories that have brought him within range of McIlroy. His win at the Open de España was especially satisfying, guaranteeing him spots at next year’s Masters and Open Championship.
As mentioned earlier, Penge has featured in 24 events and feels like part of the very fabric of this DP World Tour season. So, should a player who’s been central to the tour’s narrative lose out to a superstar who’s only dipped in occasionally?
The case for McIlroy
McIlroy has already made history this year, becoming only the sixth golfer ever to complete the career Grand Slam. That Major triumph brought a massive influx of DP World Tour points, allowing him the luxury of a more selective schedule. Since that exhausting triumph at Augusta, he has largely kept a lower profile while the likes of Scheffler and Fleetwood battled it out for FedEx Cup glory.
Still, McIlroy’s performances when he has played DP World Tour events have been impressive. He won the Irish Open, finished runner-up in Scotland and tied for fourth in Dubai all tournaments boasting elite fields. By contrast, Penge’s wins have come in events with limited strength in depth; one of his titles featured only eight players from inside the world’s top 125. On that basis, it’s hard to begrudge McIlroy his lead in the Race to Dubai.
Uncomfortable realities
Ideally, the top names would compete more regularly in standard DP World Tour events. At present, members are only required to play four tournaments outside the Majors to retain their tour membership and remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection. Many fulfil that minimum obligation while prioritising their commitments to the PGA Tour or to LIV, for that matter.
Leaving LIV aside for a moment, the American PGA Tour dominates the golfing calendar from February to August, with prize money and prestige that far outstrip anything Guy Kinnings and his colleagues can offer in Europe.
Could rivals become allies?
There has been talk of tightening the participation rules for elite European players, perhaps doubling the requirement from four to eight non-Major events. Yet that’s a risky move which could push stars like McIlroy and Fleetwood away entirely. For now, the DP World Tour may have little choice but to maintain the status quo.
Interestingly, the much-criticised LIV Golf circuit could end up being part of the solution. Hostility between tours has cooled in recent seasons, and many now accept that Saudi investment in the sport is here to stay.
A closer working relationship between the DP World Tour and LIV Golf wouldn’t be out of the question after all, the former could use the financial backing, while the latter could benefit from a touch of credibility.