×

Top Links:

Get A Golf Handicap

UK Golf Guide

Golfshake Top 100s

Find Golf Travel Deals

Golf Competitions

Search

Community Forum

Course:

Tee Times | Search | Reviews

News:

Gear | Tour | Industry Insider

Tuition:

Video Library | Tuition Sections

Community:

Join | Log In | Help | Useful Links

×

Dubai Desert Classic Preview, Picks & Analysis

By: Golfshake Editor | Mon 01 Feb 2016


ANYONE who is anyone on the European Tour will be heading to Dubai for the Dubai Desert Classic, which has now become one of the tour's biggest and best tournaments.

Leading the field is Rory McIlroy, who came so close to getting 2016 off to a winning start in Abu Dhabi. The Northern Irishman will have been delighted that he contended while far from his best. Yes, he struck some spectacular shots, but during the final round it was the ninth hole before he found his first fairway. And not even Rory McIlroy can win from the rough.

And I am sorry to report that while he did manage to hole some excellent putts, there were still far too many misses for a golfer of his calibre. We accept that McIlroy will always be a far streakier player than Tiger Woods was in his prime. He will miss cuts as sure as night follows day. But if he truly does want to go down as one of the game's greatest players then he is going to have to work out why he doesn't hole more putts.

Despite struggling on the greens for much of 2015, he chose not to spend time with Dave Stockton, his putting guru, during the short off-season. That seems like a very strange decision for a man with such an obvious weakness.

In saying that, the greens in Dubai will be perfect and I expect Rory to run away with this event.

Rory McIlroy

There is a stellar field again, one that must have Keith Pelley, the tour's new chief executive, rubbing his hands together in glee. Even if McIlroy had decided to give the tournament a miss, there are a host of other world-class golfers in the field. 

Henrik Stenson adores this part of the world and has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success in the desert. There is no reason to think he won't be there or thereabouts again this week. The distance he was hitting the ball with a three wood in Abu Dhabi was frightening - and he continues to putt like a dream. The only concern surrounds his recovery from knee surgery, which forced him to withdraw from the Qatar Masters last week.

Louis Oosthuizen is fast becoming something of an enigma. He swings the club better than anybody else out there, and that includes McIlroy. He often makes a terrific start to big tournaments, but he struggles to keep the pace going for 72 holes. There is no logical reason for this. Question marks have been raised about his putting and he does seem to lose focus if he hits a poor shot. But the South African is simply too good not to win more often than he does.

Oosthuizen

I have a feeling that Tommy Fleetwood and Krichan Aphibarnrat are both going to enjoy big seasons. Fleetwood got himself into contention several times in 2015 without being able to finish it off. He has worked hard on his game and his fitness during the winter and will surely win again soon. Aphibarnrat hasn't worked hard on his fitness. Surprise, surprise! But he is a naturally gifted golfer who will, I am certain, be making his mark on the PGA Tour before very much longer.

If anybody is going to run Rory close here, I expect it to be Ben An, the South Korean. He won the BMW PGA Championship last season and many people felt it might be a flash in the pan. It most certainly wasn't. An has the lot. He hits the ball long and straight, is a superb iron player and putts really well. This boy will win majors, I am certain.

Other worth keeping an eye on in Dubai are Matt Fitzpatrick, Lee Westwood (who needs some big weeks), Graeme McDowell, the big-hitting Thomas Pieters and Brandon Stone, the young South African who could well be golf's 'next big thing'.

Lee Westwood Open 2015

In Abu Dhabi, Pieters was outdriving Rickie Fowler, the eventual winner, by 30-40 yards on every hole. That was remarkable enough since Fowler is not a short hitter, but the really eye-catching thing about the big Belgian is how many fairways he hits. With a driver in his hands, he is simply awesome. But there is far more to his game than long driving. He is surely a shoo-in for the Ryder Cup team, and I can't think of a single American who would relish facing him.

After his maiden victory in the South African Open, Stone is my player to watch in 2016. He is a little raw around the edges still, but he has the game, the work ethic and the temperament to go all the way.

BETTING PICKS

To Win:

Rory McIlroy. Simply the best

Each Way:

Ben An. The complete package

Each Way:

Andy Sullivan. Has good memories of Dubai

FANTASY PICKS

Rory McIlroy. Flowers in the desert

Ben An. Rarely has a bad week

Andy Sullivan. Keen to kick on after last season

Henrik Stenson. Adores this part of the world

Thomas Pieters. Bound for the world's top 20

Brandon Stone. Fabulous prospect

Matt Fitzpatrick. Yorkshire's finest

Thorbjorn Olesen. Brilliant ball strikers

Krichan Aphibarnrat. Ready to kick up a storm in the desert

Danny Willett. Loves big events such as this


Be part of the action with a selection of unique golf tournament experiences, from playing in a pro-am with the stars to watching the action at golf’s most illustrious events. Whether it’s the Masters or The Open, The Ryder Cup or WM Phoenix Open, build your own bespoke package with the experts at Golfbreaks.com.


What do you think? post your thoughts and feedback on the Golfshake Forum: https://forum.golfshake.com/


Tags: rory mcilroy Henrik Stenson



Scroll to top