DP World Touring Championships 2022 standings: Jon Rahm moves ahead to keep lead ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick
For the first time in an entire week, a new man takes the top spot of the 2022 DP World Tour Championship standings. Former world No 1 Jon Rahm simply excelled around Jumeirah Golf Estates on Saturday en route to his bogey-free 7 under 65. Scoring seven birdies for the second day in a row, the Spaniard slowly moved to under-15s and took a one-stroke lead over Matt Fitzpatrick.
With four birdies in his opening eight holes, an uncomfortable moment came on the difficult par-4 ninth hole. Bogey on this hole for the first two days, Rahm was forced out of trouble before converting to a momentum-saving par put from just 15 feet inside. Adding three birdies in his inner half, Rahm has now established himself as the first man to win the DP World Tour Championship three times.
“I don’t think I could shoot any lower today,” Rahm said. “Maximizing the round. I wasn’t at my best at teeing, but I was actually able to get some birdies from some not-so-good situations. I didn’t hit any rolling lines on the fairways. crosses and still play them with an equal under 3. I hope by tomorrow I can serve a little better, while still keeping a good iron and a good putt.”
First-round leader and 36-hole leader Fitzpatrick is sure to put some pressure on as the Briton fights for both the DP World Tour Championship and the season-long race. In the under-14s, he is in a precarious position as he trails not only Rahm but also Rory McIlroy as the world No 1 predicted to win the Harry Vardon Trophy after a 7-under round. His 65 years old.
“One thing that I have learned a lot this year is to be more patient,” says Fitzpatrick. “I’m not the best. I’ve probably gotten a lot better since being criticized by Billy. [Foster, his caddie] in April. So I think it’s an important thing for me to just be patient and know that I’m golfing well. I feel really comfortable with my iron this week, and it’s been a big, huge change and a huge step forward over the past few months. So I’m looking forward to going tomorrow.
“That means the world [to win the DP World Tour Rankings]. I’m going to need a lot of things my way,” added Fitzpatrick. “I feel like this… could be a third win here, and if it happens, it could be all three. times I didn’t win [the DP World Tour Rankings].”
McIlroy started his second round in unsettled form as two bogeys clamped down on an eagle in his first three holes. Having birdies on seven of his last 14 holes, the Northern Irishman returned to pole position in the season-long race ahead of the final 18. McIlroy will try alongside Henrik Stenson to become the only men to win both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour titles in the same year.
Round 3 standings, scores
- 1. Jon Rahm: -15
- 2. Matt Fitzpatrick: -14
- 3. Alex Noren: -13
- T4. Rory McIlroy: -12
- T4. Tyrrell Hatton: -12
- T6. Tommy Fleetwood: -10
- T6. Adrian Meronk: -10
- 8. Jorge Campillo: -9
- T9. Maximilian Kieffer: -8
- T9. Kurt Kitayama: -8
DP World Tour rankings begin to enter the final day
Going into the week, only seven players could win the DP World Tour Leaderboard. Over three rounds, that number may have dropped to just two as Fitzpatrick and McIlroy battled for the crown all season. After leading for the first two days, Fitzpatrick was supposed to claim the title, but the four-time major champion fought back with vengeance thanks to innings 68-65. Here are the scenarios for each player advancing to the all-important finals.
- Rory McIlroy: If he wins or finishes before the other six, he wins the race that lasts all season
- Matt Fitzpatrick: Had to finish in second and leave McIlroy behind in seventh
“It’s been really cool, I’ve reached this stage in the game over 15 years as a pro and I’m still trying to do first things,” McIlroy said. “I’ve never won the FedExCup and this tournament rankings in the same year, so it’s going to be great. It’s been a great year. I’ve played some really, really great golf and played. golf is really steady. If I can go out there tomorrow and score high and get work done, that would be a really nice way to end a great year.”
2022 DP World Tour Championship updated odds and picks
- Jon Rahm: 11/10
- Matt Fitzpatrick: 14/5
- Rory McIlroy: 2/9
- Alex Noren: 9-1
- Tyrrell Hatton: 12-1
This is reminiscent of the old Tour Championship on the PGA Tour for those unfamiliar with the DP World Tour Leaderboard. Rahm, Noren and Hatton have no chance of winning the crown all season while Fitzpatrick and McIlroy will shoulder the pressure of trying to win both the tournament at hand and the DP World Tour Rankings. With these odds applying strictly to the DP World Tour Championship, Rahm seems the most affordable and will remain our pick to win.
