The best on the European Tour will make the short trip to the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai for this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The Middle Eastern flair continues as the last few events have all been in the same neighborhood with the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters last week and the event in Abu Dhabi prior to that.
Speaking of the Qatar Masters, Branden Grace successfully defended his title at the Qatar Masters with another strong performance last week. However, he will not participate in this event as the European Tour’s Desert Swing continues this week.
Event Details
Event: 2016 Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Category: EPGA
Date: February 4-7
Location: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Rory McIlroy is the defending champion at the Emirates Golf Club and it should be no surprise that he is listed as the betting favorite to win this week. McIlroy won’t have much room for error though as a strong field that includes Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer and company. They’ll look to keep him from doubling up at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Last Five Winners
2015 – Rory McIlroy
2014 – Stephen Gallacher
2013 – Stephen Gallacher
2012 – Rafael Cabrera-Bello
2011 – Alvaro Quiros
What To Know About The Course
The Emirates Golf Club was the first all grass championship golf course in the Middle East when it opened back in 1998. It remains one of the finest on the European Tour schedule. The fairways curve and rise sharply, and no hole is more difficult than the par-four 12th. That hole requires a very difficult tee shot and its slim fairway that angles to the left makes it difficult to navigate. The course is one of the most beautiful stops on the Tour but it is loaded with traps that will put some of the world’s best to the test once again this week. If you’re looking at players to bet this week, you’ll want to find the accurate guys more so than the heavy hitters. That means greens in regulation should be a key stat to monitor.
The Field
This tournament has traditionally rolled out some pretty impressive fields and that will be the case once again this year. McIlroy is ranked No. 3 in the world and will be the star attraction but there are plenty of players in this field that could come away with the trophy. Stenson tied for second at this event a year ago when he was only weeks removed from surgery while Kaymer should be a threat to win as well. There will also be a strong contingent of MENA players for this year’s tournament. 19-year-old Thriston Lawrence will lead the way along with Gabriel Canizares, Paul Doherty and Lee Corfield.
A Good Matchup To Bet
Henrik Stenson over Martin Kaymer
McIlroy will be the popular betting favorite to win this event but the one matchup that betting enthusiasts should target this week is Stenson over Kaymer. Stenson made an impressive comeback at this tournament a year ago, so there’s good reason to have confidence in him. Kaymer will have a strong tournament but we’ve got him rated as a clear step behind Stenson.
Top-Five Prediction: Thorbjorn Oleson
Oleson was one of the surprises of last week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters when he posted a 12-under 276 to finish tied with Rafael Cabrera Bello for second behind Grace. Not many people had him finishing that high in their predictions. The same was the case in Daily Fantasy as he proved to be one of the best value plays on the board. Now he will look to continue that momentum with another strong performance this week. Oleson has shown flashes of his elite potential so far this season and we’ve got him pegged to finish in the Top 5. Consider him for betting purposes as well as another value play in Daily Fantasy for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic this week.
Top 10 Odds To Win Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Rory McIlroy +225
Henrik Stenson +1015
Martin Kaymer +2050
Byeong Hun An +2250
Louis Oosthuizen +2550
Thomas Pieters +2850
Thorbjorn Olesen +2850
Joost Luiten +4050
Bernd Wiesberger +3050
Andy Sullivan +2440
