Golf: HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championships
Venue: Yas Links, Abu Dhabi UAE.
Dates: Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd January 2023
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 just under $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 2023.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
Big names from Europe and beyond will be hoping to get 2023 off to a flying start here in Abu Dhabi:-
Englishman Tyrrell Hatton eventually found patches of form in 2022 and he will be keen to get 2023 off to a better start in the familiar surrounds of Abu Dhabi.
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 2023.
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 2023.
Swede Alex Noren is a competent ball-striker and his performances at this level in recent seasons have been superb, making him a serious candidate here.
Scot Robert Macintyre continued to see his stock build in 2022 and he will be eager to get off to the fastest start possible in 2023 here in Abu Dhabi.
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:-
Belgian Thomas Pieters is still one of the cleanest ball strikers in the game and his game should suit conditions here in Abu Dhabi.
American Patrick Reed plies his trade on the LIV Golf tour and whilst his performances have been inconsistent, he will be desperate to put in a good showing 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:-
Kiwi Ryan Fox often went under the radar in big events in 2022, picking up some superb results and he will be keen to back that up seriously in 2023.
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.
‘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 2023 season here in favourable conditions in Abu Dhabi.
HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championships betxchange.com best bets:
Outright Winner: Tyrell Hatton – 11/1
1st Round Leader: Thomas Pieters – 35/1
