Eugenio Chacarra ready for showdown with 'idol' Rory McIlroy as Race to Dubai title beckons

Résumé détaillé

Eugenio Chacarra might have thought he had done enough to at least have a share in top billing.After all, the 26-year-old Spaniard does have a buffer of more than 500 points over…

Eugenio Chacarra might have thought he had done enough to at least have a share in top billing.

After all, the 26-year-old Spaniard does have a buffer of more than 500 points over the starry chasing pack at the top of the Race to Dubai standings.

He has won three times on tour this season, finished second twice, and third a pair of times, too.

McIlroy v Chacarra: How did Abu Dhabi Championship affect Race to Dubai?

And yet at the main spectator entrance to Jumeirah Golf Estates for the season finale, it is the images of Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed which dominate.

In fairness, for so much of this season, it did seem as if it would be those two great Ryder Cup rivals who would be duelling for the title this week.

Then Chacarra won in India last month, ahead of a field headlined by McIlroy, and he has been the hunted for the rest of the time since. Despite the points advantage the Spaniard holds, he is in for a daunting end to the season at the DP World Tour Championship.

For some perspective: Chacarra has appeared at the weekend of majors as many times – once – as McIlroy has won career grand slams.

“We know how good Rory McIlroy is; he's one of my idols,” Chacarra said on the eve of the championship.

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