All roads on the European and Challenge tours "will lead to Dubai this fall," with both circuits wrapping up their seasons with formats "featuring elite players and multiple stakes on offer," according to Steve Elling of THE NATIONAL. Similar to the annual big-money Race to Dubai season finale, the limited-field DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the developmental Challenge Tour "will end its season at a new event featuring its top 45 players at Al Badia Golf Club," set for Oct. 31 to Nov. 3. Al Badia GM James Shippey said, "It’s great to have all these different facets of golf on board and happening in the same place." The tournament, called the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final, will feature 25% more world-ranking points "than are typically available at a Challenge event." The top 15 in earnings at the end of the 72-hole affair "will be promoted" to the European Tour in '14. The Challenge Tour, which has been seeking a host venue for the finale for several months, "signed a three-year deal with Al Badia to host the event," which features a purse of €330,000 ($436,000) (THE NATIONAL, 9/4).
