The European Tour continues from where it left off last year in the sunshine at Dubai for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.
This was the first ever event to be staged in the Arabian Peninsula and has been hosting the event on the Tour every year since 1989.
The 132 field will be competing on this par 72 desert course for the $3.25million purse with the winner receiving $541,660.
Remember to place any pre-tournament wagers before the early hours of Thursday morning, 3.10AM to be precise.
Couple of winners to mention last week which makes it all worthwhile, well done if you were on my main selection Abraham Ancer 28/1EW at The American Express. Ancer finished 5th in the place money so still a tidy profit.
Also my Nap Andy Sullivan beat Sami Valimaki by a convincing 9 shots, the 72-hole match bet was done and dusted after only 36 holes.
The weather this week is forecast to be sunny and warm with only moderate breeze for all four days .
With the weather not playing up this year the key attribute will be power and traditionally this event has been a big hitters paradise. Attacking the par fives, hitting the ball long and straight with a hot putter will be the recipe to success this week.
Lucas Herbert returns to defend the title he won here last year. After being six shots adrift going into the final round, his 68 was enough to earn a play-off while most struggled in the windy conditions. The young Australian went on to defeat Christian Bezuidenhout on the second extra hole.
Tyrrell Hatton
So on to the selections and I’m going to start off with last weekends Abu Dhabi winner Tyrrell Hatton 8/1 each-way at Betfair.
With conditions perfect I just cannot see anyone stopping the Englishman again this week. He was simply consistent and flawless while out-duelling Rory McIlroy on the final 18 holes last Sunday.
The talented Hatton can easily make it back-to-back wins with the golf he is producing at the moment and I just can’t see who can stop him here in Dubai.
His last two events in Dubai have seen him win last week and finish 8th at The DP Tour Championship just before Christmas. The Englishman just seems to thrive on these desert courses and he sure enjoys playing them.
He has now won four tournaments in the past twelve months, the others including, Turkish Airlines Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The BMW PGA Championship.
You also can’t forget to mention another eleven Top 10 finishes with simply to many to mention. I don’t usually prefer to include golfers heading the market but it would be unwise to suggest otherwise as I can only see Hatton conquering this field and winning again come Sunday.
Matt Wallace
For my next selection I’m going to suggest Matt Wallace 25/1 EW Betfair.
Another Englishman, Wallace has finished runner up in all three European Tour events held here in Dubai and could possibly go one better this week.
He has hired a new caddie, Gareth Lord, to hold the bag – one of the best in the business.
In his first event teamed up with Lord last week, Wallace finished 7th at Abu Dhabi completing four consistent rounds with his new partner.
Wallace has all the key attributes to win here this week and clearly enjoys these desert tracks. His putter is extremely hot just now and he has the power and accuracy to back that up so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him right up there in contention come Sunday afternoon.
Romain Langasque
For my next pick I’m going to look further up the field and look for some value so for that reason I’m going to include Romain Langasque 75/1 eah-way at bet365.
I just feel that the young Frenchman is slightly overpriced on the markets and is certainly worth a punt especially at such an attractive price.
Langasque played some steady golf last week in Abu Dhabi finishing 16th in the challenging conditions but this should be more straightforward for the Frenchman.
A winner already on the European Tour at The Wales Open at Celtic Manor just a few months ago, he certainly has the form to win another tournament sooner rather than later.
Andy Sullivan vs Shane Lowry
My final selection is a 72 hole match bet and I’m going to stick with last week’s impressive winning Nap , Andy Sullivan to beat Shane Lowry 9/10 NAP at Paddy Power.
Recommended Bets
- Tyrrell Hatton 8/1 EW (Betfair)
- Matt Wallace 25/1 EW (Betfair)
- Romain Langasque 75/1 EW (bet365)
- Andy Sullivan to beat Shane Lowry 72 hole matchbet 9/10 NAP (Paddy Power)
Let's hear your tips for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in the comments section below.
