Golf: European Tour Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Venue: Emirates Golf Club, UAE.
Dates: Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th January 2020
Tournament Preview
The Dubai swing of the European Tour hots up once more as some of the biggest names in the game chase sunshine and ranking points at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The Emirates Golf Club has hosted the event for 30 years making it the oldest event staged in Dubai across world golf and it has a rich history as a result. Following Lee Westwood’s record breaking win in Abu Dhabi last week, there will be another huge smattering of big names looking to get into the winners enclosure for the first time in 2020 and with over $3.25 million dollars in the prize pot, there is plenty to play for. One of the biggest events on the European Tour calendar gets underway in Abu Dhabi on Thursday with an incredible line-up due to descend on the incredible Abu Dhabi golf course once more. Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are just three of many big names to have won the event in the past and it promises to be an incredible week of action at the Emirates Golf Club.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
Big names from Europe and beyond will be hoping to get 2020 off to a flying start here in Dubai:
2019 European Order of Merit winner Tommy Fleetwood came very close in Abu Dhabi last time out and he looks to be the strong favourite to go one better this week in Dubai.
Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick also finished in a tie for second behind Lee Westwood last time out and the talented youngster looks set to have a big year in 2020.
South African Louis Oosthuizen is a consistent performer across all levels and he will be hoping for another stellar season on the European Tour and he too finished in the top 5 in Abu Dhabi last week.
Spaniard Sergio Garcia last won this event in 2017 and showed real form in Abu Dhabi last week before dropping off somewhat but he represents a fantastic value bet at the Emirates Golf Club this week.
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger enjoyed a top 10 finish in Abu Dhabi last week and he will be eager to build on a superb year last season on the European Tour and he will be eying up a Ryder Cup spot too.
1st Round Leader
Producing the goods over 72 holes is often the most difficult thing for any golfer to do therefore here are our first-round leader picks:
Enigmatic Frenchman Victor Perez showed real character in Abu Dhabi last week as he enjoyed a second placed finish and he will be looking to carry over that form into this week.
South African Erik van Rooyen tore up the course in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to shoot a 6 under par final round and finish in the top 20 and he looks to be a man in real form.
Chinese superstar Haotong Li won this event back in 2018 and despite indifferent form since, he will relish the conditions and he could get off to an excellent start this week.
Top 5 Finish
With so many quality players assembled here at the Emirates Golf Club, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 5 come Sunday:
Swede Henrik Stenson had a 2019 to forget but his performance in Abu Dhabi last time out was a real blast from the past and he could be firmly in contention come Sunday in Dubai.
Big hitting Belgian Thomas Pieters has already tasted Ryder Cup glory previously and he will be eager to be involved in 2020 and a top 5 finish here would help him greatly.
Despite missing the cut in Abu Dhabi last time out, Danny Willett looks to be revitalised on the golf course and the 2016 champion will be keen to showcase his talents on the Emirates course once more.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Tommy Fleetwood – 7.00
1st Round Leader: Victor Perez – 28.00
