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AVIV Dubai Championship – Betting Preview as Sam Horsfield tipped to well

By Matt Tizzard

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 02: Andy Sullivan pictured with his scorecard after his course record round of 61 during the first round of the Golf in Dubai Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on December 02, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 02: Andy Sullivan pictured with his scorecard after his course record round of 61 during the first round of the Golf in Dubai Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on December 02, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
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Matt Tizzard previews the AVIV Dubai Championships, as The European Tour begins one of two Middle-Eastern swings.

The Course

Fresh in the news that The European Tour is re-branding to The DP World Tour, the eyes of the golfing world probably leans towards The AVIV Dubai Championship this week. Long drives, streaky putters and birdie makers are on the agenda and what we are looking for on the Fire Course at Jumeriah Golf Estates, Dubai. To give you some context, only 5 holes averaged over par last year.

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The reason for this is because as expected, the Fire course is dry and has a links feel to it. Unlike the other course, we visit next week, “The Earth Course.”

Andy Sullivan, who has been out of form this year, shot a 61 last year with much ease early on in the tournament. Only to have the trophy pinched by defending champion Antoine Rozner.

That was the first and only AVIV Dubai Championship and this week appears to be the last. Following the tour announcement that The European Tour will be replaced by The DP World Tour, I didn’t see the Dubai Championship on the list for 2022. In all honesty, this is a warmup for next week’s DP World Tour Championship, right?

Summary of Picks for Betting Card or Golf Fantasy League

·         Minwoo Lee

·         Robert MacIntyre

·         Sam Horsfield

·         Lucas Bjerregaard

Key Stats

·         Driving Distance

·         Puts per GIR

·         Birdies made

Minwoo Lee

Minwoo literally smashes the driver and the stats we need this week, only downside is that he will go off short on the odds. He is 12th on tour for driving distance and we know is going to have a lot of runs at birdie. My question is, will he find the birdies required?

The answer could well be yes because he definitely has the form. Finishing T8 last week in the Portugal Masters and T2 in the Estrella Damm Andalucía Masters. That week Minwoo opened with a 73 yet battled on to finish just behind eventual winner Matthew Fitzpatrick

Robert MacIntyre

BobMac is a certain FOMO pick from me (fear of missing out). Robert hasn’t been in his best form of late, but I believe the return to the middle east will bring some fond memories. Which will hopefully kick start him in time for the big money events.

McIntyre is a fans favourite on tour and was solid last year in Dubai. Finishing T19 in this Championship, T23 in the DP World Tour Championship, T16 down the road in Abu Dhabi, and finally 3rd in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. That week Bob closed with a disappointing 74 and he finished 3rd to winner Paul Casey, who will go out favourite on Thursday morning.

Sam Horsfield

Sam Horsfield is going to play in a Ryder Cup. That is how I will start my support for backing him. Now on to more analysis, this time last year Sam was the best player Tee to Green statistically yet finished down the leaderboard in T45. He also entered on the back off 3 missed cuts in 4 and was very low on confidence.

This year Sam swaggers down to middle eastern money town with better form. He finished T12 last week in Portugal and T15 in Italy 3 tournaments prior. That in itself doesn’t blow you away, but the fact is, he was the best player tee to green last week with only the flat stick stopping him.

When you think of Sam, his iron play resonates. It’s a thing of beauty, but actually, he is what I would call “sneaky long.” This is a good recipe for this week, and I am hoping that the average of 307 yards will put him in good stead. Not to mention the hot and dry conditions previously mentioned. He could outmuscle the course and get to the -20 plus mark, which will be needed.

Finally, he is 14th on tour for putts per green in regulation. Sam smashes my stats, so despite not being the most in-form he has been. He statistically measures up to do well.

Lucas Bjerregaard

This is a massive value bet and one not to miss! Lucas finished 2nd last week and by his own admission, didn’t play to his best. If that’s a sign of things to come you will be picking up a bargain on him this week.

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Lucas finished -17 last week on a more difficult course in Portugal, that score won’t win this week, (I think -24 will), but he certainly has more in the locker.

My concern is the putter but that kind of is the style this week. Lay your chips down on ballers and strikers, and hope the putter stays hot! Good luck with your picks and enjoy the European Tour’s return to the AVIV Dubai Championships.

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