NOTE TO MEDIA

ROLEX TESTIMONEE CROWNS SEASON OF ENDURING EXCELLENCE AS 2019 RACE TO DUBAI CHAMPION

Jumeirah Estates, United Arab Emirates, 24 November 2019 – Rolex Testimonee Jon Rahm has won the prestigious 2019 Race to Dubai crown following a season of sustained excellence on the European Tour.

Culminating at the DP World , Dubai, the final Rolex Series event of the year, the Spaniard finished atop the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex after a phenomenal first place finish in the elite top 50 field at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

With highlights elsewhere during the season including his second time winning the , another Rolex Series event, and a succesful title defence of the Open de España, Rahm becomes the fourth Rolex Testimonee to win the Race to Dubai, joining Luke Donald (2010), (2011) and (2018). Rahm’s sixth European Tour victory also marks his fourth Rolex Series win.

Reflecting on his win, Rahm said: “It’s incredible. So much has been accomplished in just one week - it’s the second time I’ve won the DP World [Tour Championship], my fourth Rolex Series win, the second of this year, and then Race to Dubai champion. There’s so many great things, I can’t really put them into perspective yet.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s great that Rolex is partnering with the European Tour to create this event and to create this highlight in the season.”

Rahm secured the double victory with rounds of 66, 69, 66 and an epic final round of 68 including eight birdies, marking the second occasion the 25-year-old has won the DP World Tour Championship, having done so in 2017, when he was also named European Tour Rookie of the Year.

Rahm’s fellow Testimonee and another past winner of the DP World Tour Championship, Matthew Fitzpatrick, completed his tournament in style with an eagle on his 72nd hole, helping him to an eighth top 10 of the European Tour season.

Launched in 2017 on the 20th anniversary of Rolex’s partnership with the European Tour, the Rolex Series showcases the highest quality golf and the international spirit of the game.

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note to editors

ROLEX TESTIMONEES THAT HAVE WON THE race to DUBAI Martin Kaymer (2010) Luke Donald (2011) Francesco Molinari (2018) Jon Rahm (2019)

THE DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP, DUBAI 2019 RESULTS 1. Jon Rahm (-19) 2. (-18) 3. Mike Lorenzo-Vera (-17) 4. Rory McIlroy (-12) 5. (-11)

ROLEX TESTIMONEES THAT HAVE WON THE DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP, DUBAI Matthew Fitzpatrick (2016) Jon Rahm (2017, 2019)

2/3 ROLEX TESTIMONEE JON RAHM CROWNS SEASON OF ENDURING EXCELLENCE AS 2019 RACE TO DUBAI CHAMPION

ABOUT THE ROLEX SERIES Through an unwavering commitment to the game of golf for more than 50 years, Rolex has developed one of the broadest and most enduring relationships between brand and sport in the world. Rolex has always contributed to the further development of golf worldwide through its partnerships with guardians of the global game – organizations with the responsibility of advancing the sport, such as the European Tour. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of this partnership, in 2017 the Rolex Series was launched as the premium tournament category on the European Tour’s International Schedule and presently comprising eight tournaments staged in a variety of locations around the world. The 2019 roster of Rolex Series tournaments comprises: the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA (January 16-19); the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation (July 4-7); the Aberdeen Standard Investments (July 11-14); the BMW PGA Championship (September 19-22); the (October 10-13); the Turkish Airlines Open (November 7-10); the hosted by Gary Player (November 14-17); and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (November 21-24), where the leading golfer of the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex will be crowned.

ABOUT ROLEX An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise

Rolex, a Swiss watch manufacture headquartered in Geneva, is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products. Its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company OFFICIAL WEBSITE forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous www.rolex.com major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, ROLEX GOLF PRESS ROOM https://pressroom.rolex.com/en/sports-and- launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. culture/partnership-activities/rolex-and-golf. Rolex has registered over 500 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated html and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in- MEDIA CONTACTS house the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys Rolex SA to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and Virginie Chevailler [email protected] bracelet. Furthermore, Rolex is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, +41 22 302 26 19 sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the rEvolution planet. Merrick Haydon [email protected] +44 7748 186 833

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