DP World Tour has landed in Dubai for the final stop of this season. The Jumeirah Golf Course will host the top 50 in the Race of Dubai rankings. While the DP World Tour Championship will not suffer from star power, it does lack a few big names and tournament regulars. While Jon Rahm might be the most obvious one—although his reason for absence is worth a closer look—there are a few other established and rising stars who will miss the DP World Tour Championship. 

Nicolai Hojgaard

Surprised? The 23-year-old Dane won’t be in Dubai to defend his title. Nicolai Hojgaard failed to break into the top 50 in the Race to Dubai ranking after the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Last year, Hojgaard fluttered nine birdies—six in the back nine—to outclass Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood in the final round. Interestingly, barring the solo second in the Farmers Insurance Open, the youngster’s best performance has come in the European Tour this year. However, that wasn’t enough to catapult him to the top 50; Hojgaard is not listed in the field. 

Ludvig Aberg

Another Ryder Cup winner is sitting back due to injury. The Swedish with an effervescent smile announced that he went under the knife to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Per a report on Golf Channel, the 24-year-old first injured his knee while working out in May. He withdrew from the Wells Fargo Championship in early May to keep himself fit for the PGA Championship. Ludvig Aberg missed the cut at Valhalla nonetheless. 

Aberg last appeared in the Tour Championship in September. A week later he posted on his Instagram handle, “The surgery on my torn medial meniscus went well last week. A couple weeks of rehab and rest ahead. Looking forward to be (sic!) playing soon.” He is yet to recover fully. Notably, Aberg is also missing from the 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational field as of now. The Swede has never teed off in the DP World Tour Championship before.

Matt Fitzpatrick

The Englishman has been a mainstay at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. Not this time, however. The Englishman currently ranks 134th in the Race to Dubai Rankings. In his last five appearances at the home circuit, Fitzpatrick failed to break into the top 30. His last appearance came at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where he missed the cut.

Notably, Fitzpatrick also tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend, Katherine Gaal, last month. The former US Open champion will miss the tournament for the first time since debuting in 2015. Fitzpatrick has four top-tens in Dubai in addition to two titles. Last year, Matt Fitzpatrick tied for 27.

Viktor Hovland

Aberg’s Ryder Cup partner and fellow Scandinavian, Viktor Hovland, is also in a similar situation. But Hovland’s injury is a bit different. There has been no confirmation from either the six-time PGA Tour winner or his team about his recent injury.

Notably, the -year-old taped up his wrist at the PLAYERS Championship. He didn’t divulge any details on that, however. Viktor Hovland has had a turbulent season marked by frequent coach changes and swing troubles. The Norwegian last appeared in the Tour Championship, where he tied for a T12. Hovland tied for second last year.

Jon Rahm

The Spaniard not being in Dubai is no surprise. At the same time, it’s hard to swallow without a hiccup. Rahm has been a regular in Dubai since debuting in 2017. His record: 1, T4, 1, 1, T5. It’s not that the two-time major winner is not allowed. Rahm has mounted a legal defense against DPWT’s demand of a hefty fine for joining the LIV Golf. Till the issue is resolved, Jon Rahm & Co. will be able to play in the DP World Tour events. 

Rahm teed off in three previous DP World Tour events to fulfill the European Tour’s criteria of keeping the tour card. He failed to win a title, but a T7 was his worst finish. Jon Rahm is spending time with his family now. His wife, Kelley Cahill, has given birth to their third child, daughter Alaia. The 29-year-old had to leave just days later to tee off Open de Espana. However, now that his playing obligations are done and dusted, Jon Rahm is prioritizing ‘dad-time’.

The DP World Tour Championship will kick off on Thursday, November 14. The tournament has a $10M purse, of which the winner will pocket $3M. In addition, a $2M bonus will also reach the Harry Vardon Trophy winner’s bank account. Golf Channel will broadcast the final tournament on this side of the Atlantic.