The opening event of the 2025 DP World Tour is a cracking event with a tremendous field led by the likes of McIlroy, Rahm, Hovland, Hatton and Fleetwood heading to the UAE for the Dubai Desert Classic.
Best Bet
The best desert player on the planet, Tyrell Hatton has claimed five of his seven DP World Tour wins in either the Middle East or on a links course. He finished Top 7 at the last two Abu Dhabi Championships, the key guide for this. Ranks 3rd in Putts Per GIR, 5th in GIR, 5th in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green, 6th in Birdie or Better and 10th in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee on the DP World Tour last year.
Mid-Tier Bet
Olesen has a great record in this event with four Top 10s across his last 10 visits to Emirates and his form in the key correlation events is exceptional. Won the Ras Al Kaymah last year, finished Top 5 in the last two Nedbank Gold Challenges and generally performs exceptionally in the desert.
Value Bet
Ranks 7th in GIR an 15th in Driving Distance and is another who has featured strongly in the Middle East. Starting to find some of his best form with five straight Top 25 finishes including a T-13 in Abu Dhabi.
Longshot Bet
Underrated bomber from Denmark who looks huge odds here. Ranks 3rd in Driving Distance, 4 in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee and 15th in GIR. Won the British Masters last year in a breakthrough win while he was Continental Europe’s best – or close to – in the Team Cup.