The competitive action on the European Tour continues this weekend, as the Dubai Desert Classic is staged at the Emirates Golf Club.
It is one of the most lucrative early-season events on the DP World Tour, and a high-quality field of players is likely to be involved in the United Arab Emirates between Thursday, January 18, and Sunday, January 21.
Event History
The Dubai Desert Classic was established in 1989, and it became the first DP World Tour event in history to be staged in the Arabian Peninsula. Since its introduction, a number of prestigious events have been established, and it is now one of six events held in the region.
It has been staged at the Emirates Golf Club in all but two editions, with the 1999 and 2000 events both competed at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. Rory McIlroy is one of the most successful players in the history of the event, with the Northern Irishman landing a third success at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2023 after beating Patrick Reed by a shot.
Bryson DeChambeau holds the record for best score, as he finished 24-under when landing victory by seven shots from Matt Wallace in 2019.
Dubai Desert Classic Odds
There is a very familiar to the top of the betting at BetXchange, as Rory McIlroy heads the field at 7/2 this weekend. Tyrrell Hatton is also prominent in the betting for the event at 10/1, which puts him just a point clear of Tommy Fleetwood, who is available at 11/1.
Joaquin Niemann has enjoyed some fine performances in the UAE throughout his career, and he is priced up at 16/1. Brian Harman is also available at the same price, with Cameron Young next in the betting at 18/1.
Event Preview
If the Dubai Invitational last weekend is anything to go by, then this weekend’s Dubai Desert Classic should be a thriller. McIlroy will be looking for an immediate response, as one of the world’s best golfers threw away his chances of victory on the final round at Dubai Creek Resort, eventually finishing a shot behind Tommy Fleetwood.
Jordan Smith was one of the strongest finishers in Dubai last weekend, as he shot seven-under to finish fourth on the leaderboard. However, it was a tight affair on the European Tour last weekend with just five shots separating Fleetwood at the top of the leaderboard and Sean Crocker, who finished in a tie for sixth.
Tyrrell Hatton is one of the players that will be competing in the event this weekend that wasn’t involved in the Dubai Invitational. However, the English player should come into the event in excellent confidence after finishing 12-under in the Sony Open last weekend to finish the event in a tie for 13th.
Dubai Desert Classic Prediction
There is a very competitive feel to the Dubai Desert Classic this weekend, and there could be value in a number of players in the betting. Jordan Smith could be one of the most interesting selections, as he chases a third DP World Tour success. Smith comes into the weekend after an impressive finish last weekend, taking fourth at the Dubai Invitational.
