This week’s DP World Tour Championship marks the end of the season on the DP World Tour and the conclusion of a very tumultuous year for that league. Amid an increased strategic alliance with the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf drama that has coursed up and down the tour, the focus has hardly been on the golf.

Still, there’s an opportunity for the focus to shift back to the course entirely with Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton teeing it up at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai for a $10 million DP World Tour Championship purse and, additionally, the top spot on Europe’s season-long race (tantamount to the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup).

Let’s take a look at a few things to know about this week’s finale in Dubai and set the stage for what could happen.

1. Down to seven

Though anyone in the field can win the DP World Tour Championship, the list of golfers who can win the season-long points race is down to seven. Despite playing just nine DP World Tour events this season, McIlroy leads the race narrowly over New Zealander Ryan Fox, who has played 23 events. Those two are the most in control of their own destiny in Dubai. Here are the scenarios:

• Rory McIlroy: If he wins this week or finishes ahead of the other six, he wins the season-long race
• Ryan Fox: Has to win or finish ahead of McIlroy (and everyone else) by a wide enough margin
• Matt Fitzpatrick: Has to finish in top two and have McIlroy finish worse than seventh and Fox not win
• Tommy Fleetwood: Has to win and have McIlroy finish worse than third and Fox worse than second
• Viktor Hovland: Has to win and have McIlroy finish worse than fourth and Fox worse than third
• Shane Lowry: Has to win and have McIlroy to finish worse than seventh, Fox worse than fifth and Fitzpatrick worse than second
• Adrian Meronk: Has to win and have McIlroy to finish worse than 16th, Fox worse than eighth and Fitzpatrick worse than second

The scenarios are complex for everyone other than McIlroy and Fox, and given how well McIlroy plays on this golf course (see below), he truly controls his own destiny in ways the other six do not.

2. No defending champion

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa will not defend his title from last year. Morikawa said he has “some upcoming personal commitments”, and therefore won’t attempt to become the first since Henrik Stenson in 2013-14 to go back to back at the season-ending tournament.

3. Rory’s double

McIlroy has won three FedEx Cups and three season-long races on the European side, but he’s never held both at the same time. Considering the level at which he’s playing — 3.0 strokes gained per round since June 1, which is laugh-out-loud good — and with the FedEx Cup currently under his belt, this is probably his best opportunity to do something that has never been accomplished. In his last eight events worldwide, McIlroy has more wins (2) than finishes outside the top eight (1).

4. Matt Fitzpatrick’s magical ending

I’m not sure Fitzpatrick has gotten the credit he deserves for his 2022. He has 11 top 10s across all tours and has improved his strokes gained number for the 11th (!!) consecutive year. His U.S. Open title was a highlight, but it does feel as if he’s been a little lost in the shuffle since then. This is an opportunity to, like Morikawa a year ago, punctuate a fantastic season that included a major win with the best topper of all on the DP World Tour. Fitzpatrick has won two of the last six DP World Tour Championships (Rahm has two others), and to make it three of seven in this field would be extraordinary.

5. LIV Golf presence

There are LIV players in the field — Richard Bland and Adrian Otaegui will both tee it up — but none of them have a chance to win, which is not a scenario DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley wants on his hands. What’s perhaps more interesting is that the No. 7 player in the points race, Thomas Pieters, is not teeing it up in Dubai. He announced in October that he was going to miss time because he and his wife were expecting their second child, so it’s likely that’s why he won’t be here. However, his name has recently been in the LIV rumor mill, which as we’ve seen with LIV, could be nothing at all but could end up being something. Only time will tell, though Pieters’ presence at the finale will certainly be missed after the great season he’s put together.

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The most under the radar season to play golf outside is the fall, which has (mostly) arrived. The days are still long enough to get your rounds in, and the weather is not so sweltering that you want to call it after four holes. It is, as far as golf scenes go, about as pleasant and enjoyable as it gets in most parts of the country.

With this in mind, we have a few recommendations for you this fall of stuff we’ve either been trying out or using over the last few weeks and months. Not all of this gear is for on-course play, but all of it it will almost certainly enhance your golf experience for the rest of 2022.

Holderness & Bourne Sullivan pullover ($145 | Holderness & Bourne): The only pullover you need for this fall. It’s soft, light, warm and perfect for crisp mornings and cool evenings. Holderness & Bourne has been pumping out some great stuff recently, and this is among the best products they currently make (full disclosure: author is outfitted by Holderness & Bourne).

Lululemon commission golf pants ($150 | Lululemon): I absolutely love these pants. They’re somehow both light but also well-constructed. I love playing golf in them, I love not playing golf in them and I’ll wear them almost every day this fall.

Linksoul Groover hoodie ($75 | Linksoul): Lightweight hoodies are a must in the fall, and Linksoul makes a great one. It’s stretchy and light but also warm enough to wear when the temperature drops, whether you’re on or off the course. I love this hoodie.

Primo joggers ($90 | Primo): I feel a bit like an old man trying to convince the kids he still has it when I rock the joggers out on the course (or off of it for that matter), but these are definitely worth it. I’m a huge fan of Primo’s product and these are versatile enough to wear with a collared shirt while playing golf or with a t-shirt while not playing golf.

TRUE Original 1.2 ($170 | TRUE): There are a lot of great golf shoes out there, but not all of them are socially acceptable to wear off the course like these TRUE kicks are. They’re light and comfortable but also stable enough to hold up for walking a full round (or two). I also love that you don’t even have to change out of them when you’re done. I wear them pretty much everywhere, which is a rarity in the golf shoe world.

Shapland Elate stand bag ($395 | Shapland): My new favorite golf bag in the world. It was time for me to toss my 10-year-old bag, and Shapland makes an absolutely incredible product. Every detail is considered, and every feature is the highest quality (leather straps, soft club holders and heavy metal buckles). I still use a push cart, but this bag has made me want to just straight up walk. That’s how light, durable and perfect it is.

Seamus headcovers ($75 | Seamus): There’s no better headcover product on the market. In a day when louder seems to be all the rage, Seamus’ products are subtle, top-shelf gems. Their color schemes are sublime, the quality of their material is as good as it gets in golf, and — you may not know this — they’ve also branched out into yardage books and pouches for tees and ball markers, both of which are just as splendidly-made as their famous headcovers.

Goodr ($35 | Clubhouse Closeout): Goodr sunglasses have become my go-to shades. I don’t normally wear sunglasses while playing, but with their no-slip performance, you certainly could. I’m very much in on the product, the brand and the price point of Goodr.

Solo Stove ($240 | Solo Stove): This is definitely not a golf-centric product, but it’s perfect for a post-round beer and chat. Several of my friends have Solo Stoves and love how it contains the smoke (the worst part of any fireside hangout).  As far as fall golf goes, it’s something I’m very much looking forward to having to come home to after those chilly late afternoon rounds.

Bushnell ($600 | Bushnell): There are myriad rangefinder products in the marketplace these days, but Bushnell remains the top of the class. Its price certainly reflects that, but I would argue that if you buy a quality rangefinder once, you won’t really ever need one again. The Pro X3 had the slope adjust button moved to the top and offers multiple colors you can use to lock on to your target.  I’ve never been disappointed in a Bushnell product.

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