The DP World Tour Championship brings the curtain down on another enthralling season on the European circuit and each member of this week's 50-player field will be eager to set the early pace.
The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates has hosted this tournament since its inception in 2009, then known as the Dubai World Championship when Lee Westwood finished six shots ahead of Ross McGowan.
Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick have all won the DP World Tour Championship a record three times, while Henrik Stenson (2013 and 2014) is the only player to win this title in back-to-back years.
Nine players still have a chance of being crowned the 2026 Race to Dubai champion, with Eugenio Chacarra heading the standings with a 533.93-point lead over McIlroy.
Patrick Reed (third), Casey Jarvis (fourth), Aaron Rai (fifth), Rahm (sixth), Jayden Schaper (seventh), Ryan Fox (eighth) and Daniel Hillier (ninth) are all still in with a shot of landing the Harry Vardon Trophy.
Joost Luiten and Victor Perez are the first two-ball out at 04:25 GMT, while the last pairing of McIlroy and Chacarra will get their bid for glory started at 08:40.
DP World Tour Championship First-Round Leader Tips Summary
Best Bet - Adrian Meronk each-way @ 35/1
Alternative Bet - Kristoffer Reitan each-way @ 22/1
Alternative Bet - Jacob Olesen each-way @ 33/1
DP World Tour Championship First-Round Leader Prediction
Best Bet: Adrian Meronk each-way @ 35/1
Adrian Meronk's time on LIV Golf has been short-lived and he is set to return to the DP World Tour full-time for the 2027 season, with his win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October securing his membership.
That success in Scotland was followed by a missed cut for the Pole at the Open de Espana, but he has since bounced back with a tied-third effort at the DP World India Championship and a share of 18th place at the Abu Dhabi Championship.
With the wind expected to blow at around 20mph throughout Thursday, being able to handle these tricky conditions will be beneficial and Meronk fits the bill, evidenced by his Alfred Dunhill win and his 2022 Irish Open victory.
This will be Meronk's fifth crack at the DP World Tour Championship and his best result came in 2022 when he tied seventh, but he has made some quick starts in other editions.
On his debut in 2021, he was sitting tied fifth after day one and then two years later he was in a share of fourth position, just one shot off the early pace.
Alternative Bet: Kristoffer Reitan each-way @ 22/1
It has been another positive season for Kristoffer Reitan, who has been switching his time between the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, and he landed his first title on the US circuit at the Truist Championship in May.
The Norwegian, who is a two-time DP World Tour winner, has finished tied third (Open de France) and tied 18th (Abu Dhabi Championship) on his last two starts and his confidence is high.
Reitan made his DP World Tour Championship debut last year and after struggling in his first round with a score of 74, he battled back with rounds of 71, 68 and 68 to finish in a share of 28th.
Sitting second and seventh after day one in his last two appearances, Reitan has been able to get things going early and he looks like one to watch.
Alternative Bet: Jacob Olesen each-way @ 33/1
With the wind expected to be a factor on Thursday, Jacob Olesen will be rubbing his hands together given how well he has performed in difficult conditions over his career.
The Dane won The Amateur Championship at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Ireland and he was the first-round co-leader at the 2025 Open Championship with an opening score of 67.
Olesen has the skills required to negotiate his way around courses when the wind picks up and his form over the last couple of months has been solid, with a runner-up finish, a top five, a top 10 and two top-five results in his last eight starts.
Finishing 11th on his DP World Tour Championship debut last year, Olesen was four shots off the first-round pace and he looks capable of enjoying another solid opening.
Key Tournament Stats
Jumeirah Golf Estates has hosted this event since its inception in 2009
A par 72 measuring 7,706 yards, there are 10 par-fours, four par-fives and four par-threes
Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick are all three-time winners of this tournament
An opening 67 or better has been required to hold the first-round lead in all 17 editions
Michael Kim led the way after day one last year when signing for a round of 64
Justin Rose holds the Earth Course record, shooting a round of 62 in 2012
Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
