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LAHAINA, HAWAII - JANUARY 09: Jon Rahm of Spain reacts to a missed putt on the 12th green during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 09, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Cliff Hawkins / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

PGA Tour golfers will tee it up at La Quinta Country Club on the West Coast, but they aren't the only tour in action. The European Tour will take part in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the United Arab Emirates. We examine two golfers who are capable of winning both the PGA Tour Money List and Race to Dubai, and where their allegiance may lie this season.

As a result of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour entering into a strategic alliance, I wanted to discuss how this has changed some of the scheduling on both tours and its implications for two of golf's futures markets.

PGA Tour Money List vs. Race to Dubai

It has always been a challenge to handicap the Race to Dubai futures market since it requires PGA Tour players to play on both Tours. Major Championships, World Golf Championships, and Rolex Series events used to be where players would accrue the majority of their points toward the Race to Dubai.

The European Tour rebranded this offseason, becoming the DP World Tour. There are now only two World Golf Championship events, and the Scottish Open will award Race to Dubai points as well as FedEx Cup points the week before the Open Championship.

The DP World Tour will feature two events this week and next week: the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic. There are five Rolex Series events on the DP World Tour, including these two. As a result of their increased points, both of these events are critical to the Race to Dubai.

The American Express and Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship are the two events that take place opposite each other this week. This may help us determine which players are committed to the PGA Tour Money List or Race to Dubai futures market.

SEE ALSO: The American Express Betting Preview

Jon Rahm

The fact that Rahm is playing in The American Express rather than the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week speaks volumes about his allegiance this season.

https://twitter.com/GolfChannel/status/1480007811576729610

This market favors him because he finished third last season and because he possesses pure talent. It's worth noting that he only competed in three DP World Tour events and all his points came from majors and WGC events. Having already traveled for the Open Championship, he played the Scottish Open the week before. Then he played in two tournaments in Spain, which is his native country. Despite being in contention to win the Race to Dubai, Rahm skipped the DP World Tour Championship.

When it comes to his Race to Dubai odds, he is a huge sell, but this should allow you to feel more comfortable buying him for the PGA Tour Money List.

PGA Tour Money List: +400 via DraftKings SportsbookRace to Dubai: +350

Collin Morikawa

Morikawa will be competing in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week, a tournament he did not play in last year. My interpretation of this is that he intends to defend his 2021 Race to Dubai title and is willing to travel if necessary.

https://twitter.com/DPWorldTour/status/1483039024726130695

This is a red flag for his PGA Tour Money List prospects because skipping just a couple of PGA Tour events could make all the difference. In terms of backing Morikawa, I'd rather invest in him for the Race to Dubai than the PGA Tour Money List.

PGA Tour Money List: +800Race to Dubai: +450

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