The inaugural Race to Dubai is well underway, and for some, the early season tournaments have provided an opportunity to get a head start on the big guns already on their Christmas holidays.
That said, the season-opening HSBC Champions was won by a certain Sergio Garcia. The Spaniard, who turns 29 in January, beat Ryder Cup team-mate Oliver Wilson in a play-off in Shanghai, and currently tops the Race to Dubai standings.
Two weeks later the Race to Dubai moved to Hong Kong. Despite some big names in the running, Taipei's Lin Wen-tang edged a thrilling play-off against rising star Rory McIlroy. Golf Monthly Forum: Who do you think will win the Race to Dubai?
The play-off trend continued down under when Rod Pampling defeated Marcus Fraser at the third extra hole to win the Australian Masters. Gallery: The Race to Dubai favourites
And that was that. Richard Sterne ensured that the rest of the Race to Dubai’s purse for 2008 went into his bank account. He claimed the Alfred Dunhill Championship courtesy of a final-round 69 as others faltered. Then he triumphed at the South Africa Open in a play-off against Gareth Maybin.
Where does that leave the Race to Dubai standings at the end of 2008?
1 Sergio Garcia €650,383 2 Oliver Wilson €485,617 3 Richard Sterne €413,972 4 Wen-tang Lin €327,384 5 Peter Hanson €250,691 6 Rory McIlroy €223,810 7 Geoff Ogilvy €219,708 8 Henrik Stenson €173,945 9 Francesco Molinari €170,610 10 Charl Schwartzel €149,580
Next stop - The Joburg Open, South Africa, 8-11 January. News: Rory McIlroy secures US Masters spot PLUS!! Don't miss our gear guide for 2009
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