Golf: HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championships
Venue: Yas Links, Abu Dhabi UAE.
Dates: Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd January 2022
Tournament Preview
The next instalment of high qualify golf from the gulf comes from Abu Dhabi, as some of the biggest names from America, Europe and beyond converge for the HSBC Abi Dhabi Golf Championships. The European Tour is the official host of the event, which has been present on the world golfing tour since 2006 and with a handsome $8 million in the prize pot, it promises to be a superb weekend of golf in the sun. Previous winners of the event include Lee Westwood, Rickie Fowler and Tyrrell Hatton – testimony to the prestige in which the event is held. With a superb field assembled once more, it should be another memorable event in Abu Dhabi in 2022.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
Big names from Europe and beyond will be hoping to get 2022 off to a flying start here in Abu Dhabi:-
With the world number one spot in his sights, Collin Morikawa looks to be a man on a mission, and he should relish the conditions here in the Abu Dhabi sunshine.
Following a strong end to 2021, Rory McIlroy will be hoping to kick on in 2022 and the Northern Irishman always enjoys the conditions in the gulf.
Young Norwegian Viktor Hovland continues to blaze a trail up to the very top of the game and a win at an event such as this would strengthen his profile even more.
2019 champion Shane Lowry used this event as a springboard to incredible things that year, going on to win the Open Championship and he will be hoping to go well here again in 2022.
2017 & 2018 champion Tommy Fleetwood tends to play his best golf here at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and he will be relishing the chance to get going again in 2022.
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:-
Despite no real form to speak of in recent seasons, Adam Scott remains a supremely talented player the world over and the Australian could be up for this from the off.
Belgian Thomas Pieters is still one of the cleanest ball strikers in the game and his game should suit conditions here in Abu Dhabi.
Top Ten Finish
With so many quality players assembled here at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:-
2021 was a year of redemption for Danny Willett with tournament wins and improved performances and he too will see this season as a chance to kick on and win trophies.
‘The Postman’ has become one of the go-to men for Europe in Ryder Cups over the past few seasons and he will be hoping to make a flying start to the 2022 season here in favourable conditions in Abu Dhabi.
A former winner at this event, Lee Westwood certainly has the game to mix it with the younger generation here and he should return refreshed and ready to perform.
HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championships betxchange.com best bets:
Outright Winner: Collin Morikawa – 15/2
1st Round Leader: Adam Scott – 33/1
