As the golf season reaches its climax, the DP World Tour Playoffs are just around the corner. But amidst the excitement, a crucial question remains, does the tournament have a cut? The answer lies in the unique format of the playoffs. The top 70 available players tee off in Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and only the top 50 advance to the DP World Tour Championship.

Unlike traditional golf tournaments, the DP World Tour Playoffs do not have a standard cut line per, the official DP World Tour Website. Instead, the top 50 players after Abu Dhabi earn a spot in the season finale. This format ensures that the best performers throughout the season are rewarded. Players earn Race to Dubai Ranking Points based on their finishing position, with elevated points available as well. 9,000 points are up for grabs in Abu Dhabi and 12,000 in Dubai.

The stakes are high, with a $10 million prize fund for the DP World Tour Championship and a $6 million bonus pool for the top ten players in the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings. The playoffs consist of two Rolex Series events, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from November 7-10 and the DP World Tour Championship from November 14-17.

But here’s the interesting thing, you’ll be surprised to know that the game hasn’t even started yet and Rory McIlroy is already in the lead.

Rory McIlroy is in the driver’s seat at the upcoming DP World Tour playoffs

Rory McIlroy is firmly in the driver’s seat as the DP World Tour’s playoffs get underway. With a commanding 1,572.39-point lead in the Race to Dubai, McIlroy is poised to win his third consecutive Harry Vardon Trophy and sixth overall, tying him with Seve Ballesteros for second-most all-time behind Colin Montgomerie’s eight. McIlroy’s advantage is substantial, but not insurmountable, as he prepares to compete in the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship and DP World Tour Championship.

The upcoming tournaments offer significant points opportunities, with the Abu Dhabi winner earning 1,500 points and the Dubai champion receiving 2,000 points. While McIlroy is well-positioned, mathematically, players as far down as No. 37 Sam Bairstow still have a chance to win the Race to Dubai. However, for those contenders to lift the title, McIlroy would need to finish last in both playoff events. Only Thriston Lawrence and Rasmus Hojgaard, ranked second and third respectively, are within 2,000 points of McIlroy.

McIlroy’s path to securing the Race to Dubai title ahead of the season finale would be greatly aided by a win in Abu Dhabi. Notably, McIlroy has never won the tournament, last competing in Abu Dhabi in January 2022. Meanwhile, six top 70 players, including No. 4 Billy Horschel, will not participate in Abu Dhabi. With the stakes high and points up for grabs, the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship promises to be an exciting start to the DP World Tour playoffs.