Golf Odds: Rory McIlroy is the favorite to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship that begins on Thursday at the championship course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. The top ranked player in the world is joined in the field by world No. 2 Henrik Stenson, No. 6 Justin Rose, No. 10 Rickie Fowler and No. 12 Martin Kaymer. Let’s look at the event and golf picks.
Strong Top Five
Many of the best players in golf are in Abu Dhabi this week with 5 of the world’s top 12 golfers in the field. McIlroy leads the way and is the betting favorite with golf betting odds of 4-1. McIlroy has played really well in this event in the past but he has yet to break through with a win as he finished second in 2011, 2012 and last year. McIlroy has nine European Tour titles in his career and he is a deserving favorite this week.
The two most likely challengers to McIlroy would be his Ryder Cup teammates Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose. Stenson hasn’t played since the end of last year so it is hard to get too excited about his chances although he has finished runner-up in this event twice. Rose nearly won this event three years ago before falling in the final round to eventual winner Jamie Donaldson. Also in the field is Rickie Fowler who is looking to become just the second U.S. player to win this event as Chris DiMarco pulled it off in 2006. Not to be left out is defending champion Pablo Larrazabal and last week’s winner in South Africa, Andy Sullivan.
Martin Kaymer
The player who has had the most success in this event is Martin Kaymer who has won the title three times – in 2008, 2010, and 2011.
“Abu Dhabi has been very kind to me over the years and it’s no secret that I love playing there,” Kaymer said. “The tournament, the people behind it and the crowds make for an incredible experience every year. I always feel comfortable in Abu Dhabi and after the success I’ve enjoyed it would mean a lot to win another Falcon Trophy in its tenth year. Who knows, I might be lucky enough to break more records along the way.”
Golf Picks
I will go with McIlroy at golf odds of 4-1 and then I will take a couple of longshots. Kaymer definitely has some value at odds of 12-1 and Jamie Donaldson has shown in the past that he can win this tournament and we get him at odds of 25-1.
