RECAP
Last week I attempted to tip three different events. It didn’t work. Clark (100/1) finished in a tie for 2nd at the McGladrey Classic which returned 13 points but as I staked 15, we’ll count this one as a loss.
Briny Baird looked all set to tie up his first PGA Tour win in his 365th career start in Georgia. But on the 15th hole he missed a 4ft putt for birdie and Chris Kirk holed his par putt from nearly 20ft to keep Baird’s lead at just 1. By the 18th Kirk had caught up and despite a wayward drive he was better positioned than Baird who found a bunker. From that bunker he found a hazard which ended his hopes of winning, Kirk held his nerve and made his par to win by one from Baird and Clark.
Adam Scott is probably the best golfer in the world right now and he showed it by winning comfortably against a weak field which only included one other player from the OWGR Top 50.
Victor Dubuisson stayed cool in the final round to hold off a chasing pack which included Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Tiger Woods and Ian Poulter. He had a 5-shot lead after 3 rounds and won by 2 in the end over Jamie Donaldson, who had a fantastic hole-in-one during his round.
PREVIEW
The DP World Tour Championship, Dubai is the climax of the Race to Dubai. It is contested on the Earth course at the Jumeirah Golf Club Estates in Dubai, UAE. It is contested by the leading 60 players in the Race to Dubai at the start of the tournament. The Earth Course is a Par 72 measuring 7,675 yards. This will be the 5th edition; the first four winners were: Lee Westwood (2009), Robert Karlsson (2010), Alvaro Quiros (2011) and Rory McIlroy (2012). Westwood had tied for 3rd at the Open Championship and the PGA Championship, and won the Portugal Masters in the lead up to his win. McIlroy won the PGA Championship and two playoff events prior to his win. Karlsson had already won in 2010 and was showing some solid form including Top 20s at the final two majors of the year. Quiros had won in Dubai earlier in 2011 and was putting up some nice finishes. None of the winners were unpredictable is what I’m trying to say. Only Robert Karlsson finished outside the top 10 in Driving Distance in the year of his win.
TIPS
Henrik STENSON 2.0 Points E/W at 10/1 (Paddy Power)
He is in the form of his life right now which has catapulted him to #3 in the OWGR behind only Woods and Scott. He seems to be over the worst of his wrist problems and he seems to be contending nearly ever week. He finished in 2nd at the Open Championship and 3rd at the PGA Championship. He won the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup and has a wealth of other Top 10s aside from these this year. On top of this he managed a T7 in this event last year with no real form. He is currently top of the Race to Dubai standings and nobody deserves to win here more than him.
Louis OOSTHUIZEN 0.5 Points E/W at 50/1 (Stan James)
This is more of a hopeful punt. Oosthuizen has been fighting injury for the last few months and hasn’t been in great form. He has played here every year and has finished: 12-T13-T6-5; these finishes show that he is very comfortable on this course. When playing in the WGC-HSBC Champions a fortnight ago he finished in a tie for 15th and that was an event where he has had a similarly strong showing. Based off this I’m willing to bet a small bit on him; he’s far better than 50/1 if he plays his best.
Thongchai JAIDEE 0.5 Points E/W at 70/1 (Bet 365)
Jaidee is currently ranked an impressive 7th in the Race to Dubai standings. He’s played in this event three times and has recorded two Top 10s. He has 8 Top 10s on tour this year and if he plays well this week he might be able to win the Race to Dubai.
Gregory BOURDY 0.5 Points E/W at 125/1 (Widely Available)
He has made 16 consecutive cuts and has won already this year in Wales. He hasn’t been particularly impressive in any of his 3 visits here but will hope to emulate the success his World Cup partner had last week.
Points Staked: 7.0
Profit/Loss: +151.39 Points
FMcK's Golf Betting Preview 