ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy’s disappointment at failing to win Sunday will have been slightly tempered by his surge in the season-long Race to Dubai standings.
With his third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, the world No. 2 moved above Patrick Reed and into second place, behind only Eugenio Chacarra with one event left — the World Tour Championship in Dubai starting Thursday.
Chacarra, a 26-year-old Spaniard in his first full season on the tour, finished tied for 22nd this week and Reed tied for 43rd in the 70-man field.
McIlroy is almost 534 points behind Chacarra, with 2,000 on offer for the winner next week and then 1,335 up for grabs for second place and 752 for third place.
McIlroy is looking to join Colin Montgomerie on a record eight Race to Dubai titles. In the Scot’s day, it was called the Order of Merit.
As for this week in Abu Dhabi, getting a two-shot penalty — turning a double-bogey 6 to an 8 — on Thursday hurt McIlroy’s chances. Still, he was encouraged by his performance.
“It was a week where I had my chances,” McIlroy said.
“I would have loved to have won the tournament, but enough positive signs to feel good going into next week.”
Jon Rahm moved up to No. 6 in the Race to Dubai standings with the win Sunday, giving him an outside chance that he could win the season-long race. One thing is for sure: he would need to win on the Earth course next week to have any hope.
“Actually gives me a little extra incentive next week,” he said. “I really didn’t think I was going to have a chance. Those are better odds than I expected.”
