Rory McIlroy chasing Eugenio Chacarra in pursuit of record-equalling order of merit title in Dubai

The future has arrived in the shape of one Eugenio López-Chacarra Coto. The 26-year-old, 6ft 2in Spaniard will – as number one on the Race to Dubai standings – have the task of going toe-to-toe with Rory McIlroy over the next four days of the season-ending $10 million DP World Tour Championship, which will also decide the recipient of the Harry Vardon Trophy for topping the order of merit.

Mathematically, six men – down to Jon Rahm, last week’s winner of the Abu Dhabi Championship – have a chance to have their name engraved on the coveted trophy. In reality, you suspect the battle will primarily be a duel between Chacarra, looking to become just the third Spaniard to top the order of merit, and McIlroy, who is seeking to do so for an eighth time in his career and looking to equal Colin Montgomerie’s record.