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The European Tour has evolved into a big-money, worldwide golf circuit since its humble beginnings back in 1972. AFP/Getty Images
World No. 1 Luke Donald, left, will seek to hold off second-ranked Rory McIlroy in this weekend's battle for the tour's Race to Dubai crown. AFP/Getty Images
McIlroy suffered disappointment in the inaugural event in 2009, when he led going into the final tournament but was overhauled as Lee Westwood won the Dubai World Championship to claim both titles in the emirate.
In November 2007, European Tour chief executive George O'Grady announced that the Race to Dubai would replace the Order of Merit with a prize fund of $10 million -- which was later reduced by a quarter due to the economic downturn. Getty Images
O'Grady took over the role at the start of 2005, replacing Ken Schofield, left, who had been the tour's head for three decades. It began in 1972. Getty Images
English golfer Peter Oosterhuis dominated the European Tour's early years, winning the points list from its birth until 1974. Keystone/Getty Images
Severiano Ballesteros took European golf to new levels in the 1970s, and the legendary Spaniard won his sixth Order of Merit in 1991. Getty Images
Colin Montgomerie, holding the World Matchplay trophy in 1999, won the Order of Merit seven years in a row and record eight overall.
