With the state of play at the top of the Old World circuit’s rankings pointing to only one thing – a sixth Rory McIlroy victory – the contest for the 10 PGA Tour cards available to those not already in possession has added prominence to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
Journeyman Paul Waring of England birdied the final two holes to fend off late challenges from Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy and win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Perez was ranked 184th in the world when the week began, and neither his professional career nor his recent form gave any hint that this was to be a career-defining week.