It’s the grand finale of what’s been a magnificent DPWT season as we look forward to this week's DP World Championship at the Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE.
The much smaller than usual 50 field with no cut this weekend will all be fighting it out for a share of the staggering $10M prize pot along with the DP World Championship title and a winner's cheque for a cool $3M.
Before I continue with the preview, I’m at the absolutely beyond-words stage after all your kind messages and DMs.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you all kindly once again after bagging the hat-trick last weekend in the shape of Tommy Fleetwood who won the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City. Congratulations Tommy and well done to each and every one of you who took advantage for the third weekend running. It all started with Seamus Power tipped at 25/1 to win the Bermuda championship then Russell Henley who I tipped at 50/1 to win the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, his first victory for over five years then Tommy Fleetwood to win the Nedbank Challenge at 10/1 with Ryan Fox runner up who I had also advised at 20/1 EW, oh and both Naps won again last weekend including the Super Banker Match bet Nap.
That’s now 14 outright winners this year, phenomenal stuff. We have now equalled last year's tally with the chance to go one better so let’s go for the four-timer this weekend in Dubai and beat last year's record. Thank you so much to all our amazing and faithful MFT Community and also to all my new and existing followers on Twitter. Your support and kindness has been so inspiring and appreciated.
On that note, let’s get back to this week's Race to Dubai.
DP World Tour Championship Preview
Last year's champion Collin Morikawa will not be returning to defend his crown. Morikawa pulled out earlier this week due to family commitments but was way behind in the points race when withdrawing.
The Earth Course will be playing 7,675 yards long this week, it’s a stunning par 72 Desert Track as one would expect out here. With it being such a long layout, it’s going to suit the big hitters and one name is flashing up red all over the radar.
The weather is forecast to be hot and sunny throughout with breezes peaking at around 17mph on Sunday making the final round even more interesting.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf & Sky Sports Main Event with live coverage starting on the latter at 5 am on Thursday morning for the early birds.
So let’s move on with this week's DP World Championship betting tips as we look to land the quadruple.
Rory McIlroy 3/1 Bet365
For my first and main betting tip in Dubai, I'm taking my favourite, Rory McIlroy 3/1 Bet365. I’m sticking to what I know best and regardless of any price, my job is to pick winners and to win is all that Rory knows.
The Irishman is simply a role model on and off the golf course and the sport needs lots of Rory’s, especially at the moment with so much sport washing in operation all over the globe. Rory is back where he belongs, right at the top with another crown awaiting.
The World No1 arrives in Dubai fresh from a three-week break after scooping The CJ Cup last time out. In the twenty-one events that Rory has entered this year, he has finished inside the Top 20 on no less than eighteen occasions. Fourteen of those efforts were inside the Top 10 with eleven of them being Top 5 finishes including a hat-trick of victories. The winner last time out at The CJ Cup as mentioned above, the winner also at the Tour Championship and the winner at the RBC Canadian Open, it’s been a phenomenal year for the one and only Rory McIlroy.
Remember, he also had that chance to claim The 150th Open Championship at St Andrews where he eventually finished 3rd after finishing runner-up at The Masters. He’s finished inside the Top 10 at all majors this year.
I’m not going to bother with stats and figures this week for Rory although I could write you a book on those as well. It’s as simple as this, Rory is the best player on the planet by a country mile and he’s in town to put on a show once again at a venue he clearly enjoys having won around here twice already. Honestly look no further than Rory to Roar to success in Dubai once again when he bags the DP World Championship on Sunday afternoon.
Viktor Hovland 10/1 EW Betfair
For my next best selection at Jumeirah, I’m going to point you all in the direction of Viktor Hovland 10/1 EW Betfair.
The ever-talented kid from Oslo in Norway is as consistent as it gets and he is the main danger this week to Rory in my book. Hovland has been hovering around leaderboards all this year yet again. In the twenty-four tournaments that Hovland has entered in 2022, the young Norwegian has nine Top 10 finishes including a victory when bagging the Dubai Desert Classic and that could be the clue right there.
Now I know it’s not at the same venue but at least it’s the same city where Hovland has previously tasted success. He did however finish 3rd at his only appearance around the Earth Course in 2020 after getting off to a poor start but you can excuse him for that as he had just landed fresh from Mexico after winning at Mayakoba and travelling halfway around the world. On the PGA Tour this year Hovland ranks 10th SG Off The Tee, 9th for Driving Distance, 8th SG Around The Green, 8th for Scoring Average and 1st for Scrambling from the Fringe.
All the above are ingredients for another perfect recipe for Viktor Hovland as he makes it a magnificent seven on the menu in Dubai this weekend.
Tommy Fleetwood 16/1 EW Paddy Power
For my next suggestion to win the DP World Championship I’m going to single out the man who did the business for us last weekend, Tommy Fleetwood 16/1 EW Paddy Power.
The very likeable Englishman from Southport certainly didn’t disappoint at the Nedbank Challenge and helped us on the way to a hat-trick, I’m thinking he can land the quadruple for us as well. I’ll tell you what, he’s hit a rich vein of form and he could arrive in Dubai unplayable, it would certainly come as no surprise from this direction if Tommy rocks on once again and doubles up in as many weeks.
Fleetwood has eight Top 10 finishes in 2022 which include 4th at The US Open and 5th at the USPGA Championship, he was also a very respectable 14th at Augusta in April, that’s a treble of Top 20 finishes at majors this year including two inside the Top 5 . Other notable performances include 4th at The CJ Cup and 4th at the Scottish Open. Don’t forget Tommy also has a previous winning track record in the desert having won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship twice in succession in 2017 & 2018. Tommy Fleetwood’s famous fans could be following him around to victory with their wigs blowing in the wind as Tommy storms to success in the Race to Dubai.
For my final selection, it’s the customary match bet and for the grand finale, it has to be another SuperBanker Nap. I’m going to count on Rory once again but this time to beat the Spaniard Jon Rahm over 72 holes 8/11 Nap Bet365.
DP World Championship Best Picks
- Rory McIlroy 3/1 Bet365
- Viktor Hovland 10/1 EW Betfair
- Tommy Fleetwood 16/1 EW Paddy Power
