DP World Tour Championship Preview, Picks, Analysis

Weekly European Tour preview from Sports Writer Derek Clements

And so we come to the climax of the European Tour season. The Dubai World Championship will see somebody crowned as winner of the Race to Dubai, and, barring an highly unlikely sequence of events, that man is almost certain to be Rory McIlroy or Danny Willett.

McIlroy will be looking to retain his place at the top of the tree, which would be quite an achievement considering that he missed such an important part of the season through injury.

There is almost nothing to separate the pair as they begin this finale and they will be paired together in the first round, meaning they can keep an eye on one another as they set off. It is Willett's fourth successive tournament and for a man who suffers chronic back pain that represents quite an effort, but it is a measure of how desperate he is to overhaul the Northern Irishman and finish the season as Europe's top dog.

Despite seeing Willett cut a huge chunk out of his lead thanks to a final round of 62 in the WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai, McIlroy chose to sit out the BMW Masters, played in the same city. It could have backfired on him, but it didn't and he will arrive in Dubai refreshed and raring to go. He will also be hoping that he arrives in Dubai having sorted out his putting stroke - in both Turkey and Shanghai, McIlroy played superbly from tee to green, but putted like an 18-handicapper. Curiously, he missed almost every putt to the right of the hole, and will be aware of that.

He loves Dubai and will be looking to draw some consolation from what has been a relatively disappointing season. How most players would settle for a disappointing season that ended with them winning the Race to Dubai! Willett has had a stellar year, one that has seen him climb to number 22 in the world rankings, but I have a feeling that his race is finally run and that he will have to settle for finishing second.

Another man who has a soft spot for the Earth Course in Dubai is a certain Henrik Stenson, who won this tournament in 2013 and repeated the feat 12 months ago, holding off the challenge of McIlroy. For reasons even Stenson could probably not explain, the big Swede always seems to find his very best form at this time of year. He finished third at the BMW Masters, and it would be no surprise to see him complete a hat-trick of wins this week.

Louis Oosthuizen has had six top 10s and was runner-up in both The Open and US Open and a top 20 finish at The Masters. He has also had injury problems and, as a result, has played in far fewer events than most other players but he still goes into the final event of the year in fourth place in the Race to Dubai.

One of the curiosities of the Final Series has been the presence of local golfers especially invited to compete. This time the field comprises only the best 60 golfers on the European Tour - and that means that anybody can win.

McIlroy is long overdue another big win, but he is going to have his work cut out for him. I have a sneaky feeling that Andy Sullivan will be there or thereabouts and I am certain that we will get a view of tomorrow, with the incredible Matthew Fitzpatrick giving McIlroy a real run for his money.

Everywhere you look, there are stories waiting to be written. What would Ian Poulter or Lee Westwood give for a victory that see them climb the world rankings again in a hurry? Poulter has shown some encouraging signs of flickering back to life in the past couple of weeks, but can he finally string together four good rounds? Westwood has the look of a tired golfer desperately trying to rediscover his best form but knowing the glory days have probably gone for ever.

Tommy Fleetwood has had an excellent season, but at times it promised to be so much better. Is this the week when he will prove that he belongs with the big boys? Can Chris Wood finish off the season without any further injury woes?

DP World Tour Championship Picks

To win: Rory McIlroy 5/1Looking for perfect finish to year

Each way: Matthew Fitzpatrick 40/1 The future has arrived

Each way: Henrik Stenson 6/1 Would love to play in Dubai every week

DP World Tour Championship Fantasy Picks

Rory McIlroy. Will be there or thereabouts

Matthew Fitzpatrick. Ready to give Rory a bloody nose

Henrik Stenson. It's his annual benefit event

Louis Oosthuizen. Just LOVE that swing

Tomas Pieters. Dubai could suit the big hitter

Bernd Weisberger. Has had a terrific year

Shane Lowry. Lost the magic with his putter for now

Andy Sullivan. What a season he has had

Victor Duibuisson. Has rediscovered the magic

Ross Fisher. Showing good form

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