Race to Dubai 2014 Standings: Full Rankings and Predictions Ahead of BMW Masters

Four tournaments stand between the European Tour and a potential Race to Dubai title. Heading into November, all four will be crucial for the competitors at the top of the current standings.

The Final Series begins on Thursday with the BMW Masters teeing off in Lake Malaren Golf Club. Shanghai will be the host for some of the most talented golfers in the world, as they look to overtake none other than Rory McIlroy.

Already claiming two majors this year, McIlroy currently sits atop the standings. But he is not among the golfers entered in the BMW Masters, leaving an opportunity for others like Jamie Donaldson and Justin Rose to close the gap.

Prior to the opening Final Series tournament, here's a look at the standings and predictions for the BMW Masters. Full standings can be found at EuropeanTour.com.

Pos.	Player	Tournaments Played
1	Rory McIlroy	14
2	Sergio Garcia	14
3	Henrik Stenson	17
4	Jamie Donaldson	21
5	Thomas Bjorn	23
6	Victor Dubuisson	19
7	Martin Kaymer	15
8	Justin Rose	11
9	Joost Luiten	23
10	Mikko Ilonen	22
11	Stephen Gallacher	23
12	Louis Oosthuizen	12
13	Shane Lowry	23
14	Graeme McDowell	12
15	Thongchai Jaidee	22
16	Charl Schwartzel	15
17	Tommy Fleetwood	24
18	Miguel Angel Jimenez	22
19	Alexander Levy	26
20	Marc Warren	26

Winner: Justin Rose

Currently the No. 6 player in the world, Rose is only eighth in the European Tour standings. The rest of the field is looking up along with Rose at McIlroy, but the England player can change both in China.

Rose won just one tournament during the 2014 season and finished in the top five six times in 19 events. The results haven't always been there, but Rose still has a lot to play for in the final tournaments.

Prior to the start of the BMW Masters, Rose referenced his goals down the stretch, per BBC Sport:

"

The aim is to strengthen my world ranking as much as possible. If I was to play well and win a few tournaments before the end of the season I could get myself to second place in the world rankings, which would be a personal best.

I haven't really done the maths 100% [but] I'm not sure I can catch Rory.

"

For Rose, the entire season is still in front of him, with the pivotal tournaments taking place in November. Eyeing a Race to Dubai title, a win in Shanghai would move him even closer to the top ranking.

One of the most consistent golfers in the game, Rose will rise to the occasion at the BMW Masters and leap over several players for the title.

Top Contender: Jamie Donaldson

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Given his current ranking in the European Tour, Jamie Donaldson looks like one of the best players on the course heading into the BMW Masters. After playing a crucial part in the Ryder Cup victory, Donaldson has enough confidence to contend for another win.

Already holding two wins this season and sitting at No. 24 in the world, Donaldson is a player on the rise. However, he has to contend with Rose and Thomas Bjorn, who are also in the top 10 in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Donaldson recently won the Czech Masters and has finished an average of 13.7 strokes under par in the last three tournaments. If any player can contend with Rose and others for the title in Shanghai, Donaldson might be the one to do it.

Wild Card: Brooks Koepka

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He may not be a household name just yet, but Brooks Koepka is certainly making some noise on the course.

Koepka has four consecutive top-15 results on the tour, with a tie for third in the Omega European Masters. He was also playing so well earlier this season that he was thought of as a potential Ryder Cup pick, per Jason Sobel of the Golf Channel:

Obviously Koepka didn't end up making the cut, but he has still had a strong year of golf. Along with those results, he hasn't slowed down in the fall PGA Tour season.

The 24-year-old has finished tied for eighth and fourth in the two opening tournaments to put himself in the top 10 of the PGA Tour standings. Looking to climb up into the top 10 in the Chase for Dubai, expect Koepka to continue his solid play in the BMW Masters.

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