Danny Willett has thrown the Race to Dubai Final Series gauntlet down at the feet of Rory McIlroy and detemined to push him all the way to the victory tape
Willett, 28 is lying second on the money list some Euro 291,000 adrift of McIlroy but then Willett can wipe out the deficit and go ahead of the four-time Major winning McIlroy with a fourth place finish later next week.
And if Willett needed any incentive it is the superb finish he enjoyed a year ago on the Colin Montgomerie designed course.
There’s no doubting the Sheffield golfer has enjoyed an incredible year on the European Tour, with two impressive victories on two different continents.
After winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge in the first event, he followed up taking a share of sixth place at The Open Championship by winning the Omega European Masters the following week in July and also finished third at the WGC Cadillac Match Play, which was won by McIlroy.
The Turkish Airlines Open is the first tournament of the Final Series and the two men know that it will be hugely significant in deciding who wins the Race to Dubai and with McIlroy not to contest either of the following two events in Shanghai Willett could very well make life a lot more uncomfortable for his Northern Ireland born rival.
Danny Willett has matched Rory McIlroy in winning twice on the 2015 Race to Dubai and has now thrown the Final Four series gauntlet down at the feet of his money list rival.
After the British Masters, Willett has taken two weeks off to prepare for the final four weeks of the campaign and is excited about the tussle.
Willett said: “It’s great to be in this position and the win at Nedbank was obviously a great start to the year for us.
“I’ll have two weeks off, rest up, get the swing sorted, get in a good place and try to smash the final four. If I can play nicely for the next few weeks it could be a really nice Christmas.
“We’ll take each week as it comes and it would be ideal to get off to a good start in Turkey and hopefully put a bit of pressure on Rory.
“You put all the work in to get yourself in these situations and now we just want to make the most of it.”
Irishman Shane Lowry sits fourth in the Race to Dubai rankings and will also be looking to make a big impression in Belek.
Ahmet Agaoglu, President of the Turkish Golf Federation, said: “Last year was a great tournament even without the suspense of the Race to Dubai as Rory was so far out in front.
“This time around we are looking forward to a great showdown between Rory, Danny and Shane and that battle will add even more drama to what we are sure will be a great tournament.”
Andrew Chandler, Chief Executive Officer of ISM said: “We’ve got a really good field in Turkey and these tournaments are exactly what the Final Series is all about.
“It gives the guys that extra little incentive to get up the leaderboard and we’re in for an exciting week.”
Notes to Editors:
The Turkish Airlines Open, 2015 Event Information
Venue: The Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Belek, Turkey
Dates: Thursday 29 October to Sunday 01 November
Pro-Am Events on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October
Prize Purse: $7m
Tickets: Can be purchased in advance via the tournament website www.turkishairlinesopen.comor at the gates.
Turkish Golf Federation
The Turkish Golf Federation (TGF) was established in 1996 and offers a range of national and international tournaments each year. This is the third year TGF has promoted the Turkish Airlines Open and it also put on the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final and the World Amateur Team Championship in 2012.
The key aim of the TGF is the development of golf in Turkey, including the offer of a free golf programme for Turkish citizens. For more information, please visit: www.tgf.org.tr
About Turkish Airlines:
Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines is a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 294 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 277 destinations worldwide with 229 international and 48 domestic. According to Skytrax survey of 2015, Turkish Airlines was chosen “Europe’s Best Airline” for the fifth and“Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the seventh consecutive time. Having won in 2010 the world’s “Best Economy Catering Service”, in 2013 the world’s “Best Business Catering Service”, and in 2014 “Best Business Catering Service” awards, Turkish Airlines was this year awarded the world’s “Best Business Class Lounge Dining” and “Best Business Airline Lounge” prizes in the Skytrax survey. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on www.turkishairlines.com.
