If you are a regular follower of the DP World Tour on TV, Sky Sports in UK or Golf Channel in North America, you will be familiar with Iona Stephen. As a Scot I may be biased, she's from St Andrews, but this lass has done so very well at the various projects she has been assigned. She is smart, articulate witty, athletic, and respected.
Here is her look at the week ahead from europeantour.com.
This will be my sixth DP World Tour Championship, and it's a week I absolutely look forward to.
I first worked the event in 2019, back when I was with Golfing World, a magazine show that sadly no longer exists. It was a fantastic job: I’d interview players Monday to Wednesday, then fly out before the tournament began. We focused heavily on preview content, and I loved it.
These days, my role starts on Thursday as an on-course commentator, though I’m involved in preparations from Tuesday onward.
The venue sets the tone—it’s a fabulous course to commentate on. No hole is the same, and every year the Earth Course seems to get better. The condition improves, and those who’ve been coming longer than I have say it’s matured beautifully.
Returning to the same venue each year also builds identity. It’s like the Masters—everyone develops their own relationship with the place. This is my third year commentating on-course, and I remember so much from last year. It’s exciting to see how players will approach it differently, how conditions will affect play. That familiarity adds depth to the experience.
This year will also be the fourth year that I've also had the honour of doing the prize presentation ceremony and announcing both the Race to Dubai champion and the winner of the DP World Tour Championship. It's genuinely a real honour to do that. It's the season finale and getting to stand there with some distinguished guests on the green and do all of that is really fantastic, it's always something I'm really proud to do every year.
The flow of the tournament is seamless. The putting green sits next to the driving range, which isn’t far from the first tee, and the media centre is nearby too. It’s a joy to be part of the media here. With a smaller field, you get more personal time with players, and they’re generally in a great mood—they’ve made it to the final leg of the playoffs. That means better conversations, more insight, and a real sense of connection.
Just this week, I had a chat with Rory about his bag setup. Spending time on the range with players is a privilege—especially at this stage of the season when they’re already thinking ahead. You get to see the deeper layers of their game, and because it’s such an enjoyable week, coaches and team members tend to be here too. That makes for fascinating conversations about what they’re working on.
The putting green is another highlight. All year, you might see players using training aids and wonder what they’re doing. This week, you can actually ask. It’s intimate, relaxed, and everyone’s in good spirits.
From a commentator’s perspective, the course itself is a dream. The par threes are excellent—tough and varied. The 4th, for example, is long and hard, and then there’s the iconic island green on 17. Depending on the wind, players might hit anything from a nine-iron to a four-iron. The swirling wind, thanks to the trees, adds complexity. Unlike last week in Abu Dhabi, which played like a links course, here you have to plot your way around. Tee boxes are tucked away, bunkers sit in awkward spots, and strategy is key.
It’s a course that rewards both length and precision. Past winners like McIlroy, Rahm, and Højgaard are great drivers of the ball. Others, like Willett and Fitzpatrick, are exceptional putters. If you’re strong in either area, you’ve got a real shot at the title.
And then there’s the 18th. A par five finish is always thrilling. Anything can happen—doubles, eagles, dramatic swings. It’s a commentator’s dream. The burn up the middle creates options off the tee. Statistically, the right-hand side offers a better chance at birdie, but the carry is around 290 yards. If there’s wind, it’s a big ask. The left-hand lay-up isn’t easy either, and I’ve seen all sorts of drama unfold there.
The atmosphere around the 18th is electric. Hospitality tents wrap the green, creating an amphitheatre effect. It’s the final ascent of a mountain climbed all year. The summit is in sight—but who will be crowned champion?
As for storylines, Marco Penge stands out. A year ago, he was fighting to keep his card. Now, with three wins, he’s pushing Rory McIlroy for the Race to Dubai title. I played golf with Marco when he was 11 or 12, and his perseverance is inspiring.
Dan Hillier is another talent to watch. He’s had a strong end to the season, and I don’t think we’ve seen his best yet. And then there’s Aaron Rai. Spending time with Aaron leaves you wanting to be a better person. He's a very kind guy and I feel like in the professional game of golf, it's very important to remember what this game is all about for amateurs and for a broader audience. He approaches the game with a kind of reverence—an old-school respect that’s rare today. He still uses iron covers, double gloves, and a pink castle tee. His dad was on the range last week in a waistcoat, and their bond is beautiful to witness. Aaron reminds us what golf is really about—not just money or performance, but love for the game. He connects us to that.
I also had a chat with Kristoffer Reitan last week in Abu Dhabi. I mean, his caddie was telling me more of the good stuff really but he came from the Grand Final last year, and now it looks like he's going to get his PGA Tour card. So to think you've got a PGA Tour card within the space of 12 months or less and be currently 4th on the Race to Dubai, is remarkable. You know, that is a really amazing achievement. He's 27 years old and his entire life has changed within 12 months. And one of the best drivers of the golf ball I've ever seen in my life. So he's probably going to do well this week.
And then there’s Rory. Chasing Monty’s record would be a monumental achievement. To break out on the DP World Tour is hard enough. To win once is hard. To do what Rory’s done—and sustain it—is extraordinary. He’s one of those rare talents, like Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods. For our generation, it’s Rory McIlroy.
He’s building a legacy, and European golf matters to him deeply. Beating Monty’s record isn’t just about numbers—it’s about impact, about leaving something that lasts. And I think that matters to Rory more than ever. It’s beautiful.
It's going to be an incredible week.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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