The DP World Tour remains at the same venue as last week for this weeks Ras al Khaimah Classic, Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras al Khaimah, UAE.
The 132 field (top 65 make cut) will be competing around this par 72, desert track for a share of the $2m prize pot with the winner collecting the title and $333,400.
Nicolai Hojgaard returns after only a few days to this lay out where he had lots of fun last weekend on his way to winning the Ras al Khaimah Championship here at Al Hamra.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm throughout but the breezes could pick up for Sundays final round to make it more exciting.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf & Sky Sports Main Event with live coverage starting at 8.30am GMT on Thursday morning.
I’ve already posted a preview over on the PGA Tour for the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale so you can check out our selections on the website or on Twitter .
So let’s move on with this weeks top picks in the United Arab Emirates.
Adri Arnaus
For my first and main selection, my radar is going crazy and it’s Adri Arnaus 22/1 EW Bet365, who’s all over it.
The 27 year old from Barcelona in Spain is on fire at the moment and another victory seems looming. The Spaniard surprisingly is yet to win on the DP World Tour but he’s certainly been knocking on the door.
With five Top 20 finishes at his last eight events including four Top 10 places, it’s form you just cannot ignore. 3rd last time out at the Saudi International and an even better runners-up prize at the recent Open de Espana, it’s all adding up to a DP World Tour title for Arnaus.
With four runners-up prizes on the DP World Tour, if anyone deserves to win that elusive maiden title then it has be Adri Arnaus. He can get that monkey of his back with a well deserved victory this weekend with many more to follow.
Nicolai Hojgaard
For my next selection I’m going to single out last weeks winner, simply because of the way I watched Nicolai Hojgaard, 14/1 EW Bet365, carve up this course.
As mentioned previously, this week's event is on the same Al Hamra course as last week's DP World Tour event where Hojgaard was on fire. It’s always a hard task to win an event the weekend after winning another but it can be done and has been lots of times.
If Hojgaard produces anything like the stunning display he treated us to last week then he will for sure be well on his way to doubling up in a matter of days.
The 20 year old super Dane has already won two DP World Tour ranking events when winning the Italian Open in 2021 and the above mentioned Ras al Khaimah Championship. To have won twice already at only 20 years old, it’s not hard to predict what direction this kid is heading.
After watching last weekend’s display I simply have go include Nicolai Hojgaard to rip up this track for fun all over again this weekend.
Haotong Li
For my next pick I’m going to include Haotong Li 33/1 EW Boylesports.
The 26 year old from Hunan in China has already bagged two DP World Tour crowns when winning the Dubai Desert Classic and also the Volvo China Open.
He’s been in good form lately with a runners-up place at the recent China Open and even more recently he bagged 3rd place last weekend on this same desert track.
Haotong Li was striking the ball sublimely around here last week and it could be more of the same this time around.
He has finished inside the Top 20 at three majors now, the best of those performances being 3rd at The 146th Open Championship. He has the form and the game to be a front-runner from start to finish in a much weaker event than last week where he finished an unlucky 3rd.
Adri Arnaus v Adrian Meronk
For my final selection, it’s the customary matchbet and this week in the desert I’m liking the look of my main selection Adri Arnaus to beat Adrian Meronk 1/1 Betfair Nap. over the 72 holes.
Ras al Khaimah Classic Tips
- Adri Arnaus 22/1 EW Bet 365
- Nicolai Hojgaard 14/1 EW Bet365
- Haotong Li 33/1 EW Boylesports
- Adri Arnaus to bear Adrian Meronk 1/1 Nap Betfair , 72 hole matchbet
