Golf Betting Tips: Saudi International Preview & Predictions

It’s the Saudi International this week, an event that has been kind to us but it’s no longer a DP Tour event as it’s now sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

It’s still the same venue at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia.

The 120 field will all be competing around this par 70, desert track for the $5m prize purse with the winner collecting the title and $833,333.

Dustin Johnson returns yet again to defend his title at an event he usually dominates having won it twice in his last three attempts with a runners-up spot in between. The only other course winner taking part this week is Graeme McDowell .

The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm throughout but wind is forecast to pick up in the afternoons so early morning three balls may have a slight advantage.

This event will be screened on Freesports and Premier Sports with live coverage starting at 8am GMT on Thursday morning.

We actually managed to pick the 1st & 2nd at this event last year when Dustin Johnson seen off Tony Finau with two shots to spare.

So let’s move on with this weeks selections for the Saudi International and try for more of the same this year.

Dustin Johnson

For my first and main selection, again I’m looking no further than the defending champion Dustin Johnson, 15/2 EW Bet365.

The 37 year old from South Carolina doesn’t make this long journey for nothing. It’s clearly an event that the 5th ranked best player in the world enjoys, therefore it remains in his schedule.

As previously mentioned the two-time major champion has won this event twice in the last three times of asking and finished runner-up at the other attempt. This Royal Greens lay out is a big hitters paradise and suits DJs game to a tee (pardon the pun ).

Surprisingly, it’s the only event that DJ managed to add to the bag last year, his first victory since winning The Masters at Augusta when it was rescheduled to November because of you know what!

DJ was 25th last week at the Farmers Insurance, his first time out since the CJ Cup last year.

His best recent performances were two of his last three events where he finished T8th at The Tour Championship and T6th at BMW Championship. Other notable events worth a mention for DJ last year include 8th at The 149th Open Championship at Royal St George’s and 8th at the Genesis Open.

I’m in the thinking that Dustin Johnson had kept this event on his calendar for a reason and that reason will become much more clearer on Sunday afternoon when he successfully defends his title with another victory at the Saudi International.

Cameron Smith

For my next pick this week I’m going to advise Cameron Smith 12/1 EW Paddy Power .

The 28 year old mullet from Brisbane, Australia comes here fresh from his recent victory at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. I’m willing to forget about his missed cut last time out at the Sony Open in Hawaii having won the previous week.

This talented youngster has finished inside the Top 20 at eight of his last ten tournament with six of those Top 10 finishes add four of them in the Top 5.

It gets even better as one of those was the victory mentioned above and also a runners up prize when finishing 2nd at the Northern Trust.

He finished 2nd at The Masters in 2020 and with Augusta fast approaching, Smith will be looking to bag another victory before then.

The conditions will be more than ideal this week for Smith with the wind expected to pick up in the afternoons, he simply thrives in these environments, it’s how he learned to play golf. I watched him on his way to victory and another PGA title just a few weeks back and if he shows up in Saudi producing stunning golf like that then he will be there or thereabouts on the back nine at Sunday's final round and most probably add another crown to the tally.

Abraham Ancer

For my next suggestion I’m going to single out Abraham Ancer 30/1 EW Ladbrokes.

The 30 year old Mexican finally got his reward last year when winning the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational after a long list of runner up finishes where he had been so unlucky on many occasions. I’m gong to mention all his runner up places; 2nd at the Northern Trust, 2nd st the RBC Heritage, 2nd at the Wells Fargo Championship and finally 2nd at The American Express.

If anyone ever deserved a victory then it had to be Abraham Ancer.

I’m also going to mention another notable performance where Ancer finished 8th at last year's USPGA Championship at Kiawah Island. He is another who should thrive in this environment with his long ball hitting and sublime short game so conditions should more than suit this talented Mexican.

Since winning the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational, Ancer has played eleven events and has finished inside the Top 20 at five with the best of those being 7th at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba and 9th at the BMW Championship.

Ancer could well double up in the desert this weekend with another title at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

Thomas Pieters v Bryson De Chambeau

For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and this week I’ve got what I think is the banker of the tournament. I’m actually going to put 5pts on this one, Thomas Pieters to get the better off Bryson De Chambeau over 72 holes 1/1 5pts Nap Ladbrokes.

Saudi International

• Dustin Johnson 15/2 EW Bet365
• Cameron Smith 12/1 EW Paddy Power
• Abraham Ancer 30/1 EW Ladbrokes
• Thomas Pieters to beat Bryson De Chambeau 1/1 Nap 5pts Ladbrokes. 72 hole matchbet

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