Rory McIlroy has conceded that finishing 2016 as the European Tour’s No 1 for the third successive year is beyond his reach heading into the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The Northern Irishman is seeking a hat-trick of Race to Dubai crowns this week but needs to defend his title at Jumeirah Golf Estates and hope for a series of other outcomes if he to achieve that milestone. Should McIlroy pull a win out of the bag he would still need Masters champion Danny Willett, currently No 2 on the rankings, to finish outside the top five, third-placed Alex Noren outside the top two and rankings leader, Henrik Stenson, to be worse than 45th in the 60-man field.
"Mathematically I can win, but it's not going to happen, I wouldn't hold my breath," the world No 2 said. "I think the three guys that are ahead of me are playing very good golf, especially the two Swedes, Henrik and Alex. So I don't expect those guys to play badly this week. I'm just concentrating on trying to win the golf tournament and if I can do that, I'll be very happy."
McIlroy effectively ruined his chances by withdrawing from the Turkish Airlines Open due to security concerns, but insisted he had no regrets.
"I'm very happy with my decision," the 27-year-old added. "I've been here (Dubai) for the last couple of weeks. I've done a bit of practice, I feel pretty fresh and I'm ready to go.”
Willett, meanwhile, is looking to end a “turbulent” year on a high and become the European No 1 for the first time.
Willett, who has struggled for form since the Ryder Cup, won the Dubai Desert Classic in January and had led the money list since winning his first major title at Augusta before being overtaken by Stenson at the end of October.
"It's been a very turbulent year," Willett said. "We've had the ultimate of highs and a few real lows the last few months but this could be an exciting week.”
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