Eugenio Chacarra said it was a dream of his to play alongside the World No. 2, as the 26-year-old competes for the Race to Dubai title.

As the DP World Tour season enters its final stretch at Yas Links, Chacarra holds a narrow lead at the top of the standings. The Spanish golfer headed into the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship focused on sealing the Harry Vardon Trophy before the season-ending event in Dubai.

To secure victory, however, he must hold off challenges from Rory McIlroy and American star Patrick Reed, with all three competitors teeing off in the same group during the first round.

"I'm excited," said Chacarra. "I dream of playing with the best players in the world, and I get a chance to play with Rory, first time playing with Rory.

"I've been watching him play since I was little. He's one of my idols. So super excited for the opportunity."

McIlroy is aiming to make history this season by equaling Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Race to Dubai titles. Chacarra is just looking forward to walking alongside the career grand slam winner.

"I had a chance to play with two of the great players in India, in Justin Rose and Min Woo Lee the first couple rounds, and I enjoyed every minute of it," continued Chacarra.

"So I'm excited to have the pressure on to go out there and show that I can compete with them like I've been doing all year. Just have some fun.

"They are both major champions. Obviously Rory has won the Grand Slam. So everything I can learn from him -- it's a round I'm going to be looking and I'm going to play my game, and I know if I play my game, I can compete against them and I'm excited for that opportunity."

At the same time, Reed is striving to make history as only the second American to capture the Race to Dubai and claim the Harry Vardon Trophy, a feat previously achieved by Collin Morikawa in 2021.

"Really excited to be in this position to come out here and kind of just put my head down and play full time on the DP World Tour and have an opportunity for an American to win the Race would be something that is obviously a goal and a dream," said Reed.

"It's very exciting, especially playing with those two," continued the 36-year-old. "It's been a while since I've been in the same group as Rory.

"It's going to be fun. I've gotten the pleasure of playing with Eugenio earlier this year. It's going to be a fun group to go out tomorrow and feed off each other and play some good golf."