The DP World Tour continues in the UAE with this week's Ras al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
The 132-field with the top 65, including ties making the weekend, will all be competing for a share of the $2.5M prize money, with the winner collecting the Ras al Khaimah Championship title and a winner's cheque for $416,500.
Last week, Rory landed our first outright winner of the year. Admittedly, the odds weren’t huge, but my job is to pick winners, and I don’t make up the prices. Nicolai Hojgaard also returned some place money, while over on the PGA Tour, Xander Schauffele finished T3rd, and JT comfortably landed the Top 30 bet. He also finished T3rd, making it yet another profitable weekend.
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Al Hamra Golf Club will be playing 7,410 yards long this week; it’s a par 72 Desert track that will suit the big hitters, but a hot putter will also be pivotal. Daniel Gavins returns to defend the title he won in 2023. His winning scorecard from last year read 271, -17. The weather forecasts sunny, warm conditions with cloudy intervals throughout. Breezes will peak at around 15 mph. This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf & Sky Sports Main Event, with live coverage starting at 8 am on Thursday.
So, let’s move on with this week's betting tips for the Ras al Khaimah Championship.
Rasmus Hojgaard at 12/1 EW Ladbrokes/Coral 1-7 places
For my first & main selection in the desert, I’m sticking 100% with Rasmus Hojgaard at 12/1 EW Ladbrokes/Coral 1-7 places. Last week at the Dubai Desert Classic, he finished just outside the place money in 11th place.
That’s now three 11th-place finishes on the trot for the 22-year-old Dane. At his last eight events, Rasmus has six Top 20 efforts, and I don’t think it’ll be much longer before he backs up the Made in Himmerland victory from a few months ago. Last year at this event, Rasmus Hojgaard finished T6th, so course & conditions should more than suit his game this week.
As mentioned in the Dubai Desert Classic preview, his Driving Distance figures are improving, while his Putting Stats are out of this world. He’s ranked 2nd on the DPWT for Putts per GIR & 4th in Average Putts per Round.
His Stroke Average figures aren’t too shabby either, where he’s ranked 11th on the DPWT. Rasmus Hojgaard can take a good look at this field, and without seeing as many big names around, he’ll be eyeing up the W this week. And if you want my opinion, it’s more than a possibility.
Zander Lombard at 20/1 EW Boylesports 1-8 places
For my next best selection, I’m going to single out Zander Lombard at 20/1 EW Boylesports 1-8 places. The 29-year-old South African has been all over the radar recently.
Not long ago, you were getting 100/1 etc., for Zander Lombard to win any event, not anymore. Some fine recent form has seen Lombard finish no worse than 25th at his last half-dozen events. What’s even more spectacular is that five of those efforts were Top 20 finishes, with a couple of them inside the Top 10.
If you look even further back, it’s not long before you’ll see a runner-up spot at the Open de Espana, not bad for a player who missed more cuts than not at the beginning of 2023. His Driving Distance (20th) figures are inside the Top 20 on the DPWT, as are his Stroke Average (16th) & Average Putts per Round (17th).
Zander Lombard has been producing with more in his way than this week, and he can take full advantage this weekend with a victory in the desert.
Callum Shinkwin at 70/1 EW Ladbrokes/Coral 1-7 places
For my final selection, I’m going to point you all in the direction of Callum Shinkwin at 70/1 EW Ladbrokes/Coral 1-7 places. I'm willing to have a small punt on the 30-year-old Englishman, especially after his Top 20 finish just a few days ago at the Dubai Desert Classic, where he finished T11th. Last year, Shinkwin had a few good efforts, especially at the Dubai Desert Classic, where again he fared well, finishing in 4th place. He then went on to finish T9th at the Italian Open & T7th at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Twice a winner on the DPWT, it seems a while since he scooped the Cazoo Open in 2022 & further back for the Cyprus Open in 2020. Callum Shinkwin’s stats & figures on the DPWT are average at best, but he could be the surprise package at the Ras al Khaimah Championship on Sunday afternoon.
Ras al Khaimah Championship Tips
- Rasmus Hojgaard at 12/1 EW Ladbrokes/Coral 1-7 places
- Zander Lombard at 20/1 EW Boylesports 1-8 places
- Callum Shinkwin at 70/1 EW Ladbrokes/Coral 1-7 places
Ras al Khaimah Championship Matchbet Nap
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Impressive first round – All 3 in the top 5!