Dubai Desert Classic: victory for Viktor?

The DP World Tour makes the short trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai for the Dubai Desert Classic with another top-quality field for back-to-back Rolex Series events. 

Being a Rolex Series event means more prize money, which means the biggest stars come to play, and there are plenty of them on show at Emirates Golf Club this week. 

Belgian Thomas Pieters came out on top in Abu Dhabi as that tournament debuted on a new course at Yas Links, and we switch from the newest to the oldest course and oldest tournament in the Middle East. 

The Emirates Golf Club was a rare patch of greenery in the Arabian desert when the tournament made its debut in 1989 – now there’s the trademark spectacular views of the Dubai skyscrapers from the tee boxes during the tournament. 

The Majlis Course the field will tackle has water on eight holes, is largely flat apart from a couple of holes and has quick greens but nothing too complicated. All 18 greens have been completely rebuilt for this year, and every one has been hugely increased in size so lag putting will be a key factor this week. 

McIlroy favourite after Abu Dhabi display 

Rory McIlroy heads the betting as the 9.6 favourite for the tournament and he’ll still be kicking himself after a sloppy finish cost him a chance in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. 

McIlroy was well behind at the start of the final round, but played his way into contention beautifully before three late bogeys saw him finish five behind champion Pieters.  

Swap a couple of those for birdies and it may well have been a different story, but nevertheless it shows he’s in decent touch heading to an event in which he’s finished in the top 10 in his last five starts – including a win and a second. 

Collin Morikawa had a tough time in the windy conditions at Yas Links, but he’s an 11.5 chance here and the calmer conditions will be a lot more to his liking. And his iron play will be key to getting close on these bigger greens. 

Viktor Hovland is the other name at the top of the betting at 10.5 after his fine fourth place last week, which may have been better if he’d broken par in the final round. His first round 64 was magnificent though. 

Rory McIlroy starts as favourite for the second consecutive DP World Tour tournament

Redemption bid for Lowry 

If McIlroy was kicking himself, you wonder how Shane Lowry was feeling as he sat just a shot off the lead starting his fourth round in Abu Dhabi, but had a seven on his very first hole on the way to a nightmare round of 77. 

Lowry is a 25 chance to erase that painful disappointment on Sunday with a victory. 

Tyrrell Hatton had a flying finish in Abu Dhabi with his 67 firing him into sixth, and that’s a nice way to lead into a tournament he’s finished third in twice before. Hatton’s 18.5 here. 

Pieters is 24 to go back-to-back, but that’s proved to be such a tough ask over the years, while defending champion Paul Casey is 26 to retain his title. 

At a bigger price Shubhankar Sharma could go well as he was solid enough when finishing second in Abu Dhabi and has two top 30s in Dubai. He’s 90 so a nice each-way shout and could give you a big run for your money. 

Recommended bets

Viktor Hovland to win @ 10.5

Tyrrell Hatton to win @ 18.5

Shubhankar Sharma each way @ 90