Omega Dubai Desrt Classic 2013

The final leg of the Desert Swing takes place at the Emirates GC in Dubai with Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood heading the field, which in fairness is a bit lacking from the previous two weeks. These two rightly go off as the bookies favourites and Garcia in particular looked sharp last week and will be hoping to go one better this week.
Last week, our four selections were on the fringe of things throughout the tournament with the 80/1 shout, Victor Dubuisson just missing out on a place by a single shot. He proved again though that certain golfers will play some of their best golf on courses that they like. This week we will try look for the same credentials and oppose Garcia & Westwood. My first selection this week is Henrik Stenson. We backed him last week and got off to a flyer in round 1 only to drop 3 shots over his closing 5 holes in that round. With Stenson, you need to factor in his temperament but he fought back well the weekend to merit consideration again this week on a course he won back in 2007, not to mention 3 Top 10s since as well. The Swede can be backed at 14/1.
My second pick this week is Stephen Gallacher @ 66/1 or 60/1 with Betpack (paying 6 places again this week). The Scot has great form in this event, and showed some good form last week despite a poor result, but he has two Top 10s here in the past couple of seasons and his record here has shown a marked improvement each time he plays. The wind is forecasted this week and this will play into his hands. A good start is vital if he is to contend, but he will be looking forward to playing on the Emirates GC again.
Third pick this week is Thomas Bjorn who needs no introduction when playing on this type of course and in the wind. Three top 10s here also shows he too likes the place and at 50/1, that's a price not to be overlooked. He played well last week and can build on that this week.
My fourth pick is Soren Kjeldsen @ 150/1. He too has decent form here with a couple of Top 10s also. He missed the cut last week, only just, but he was well down the field in Qatar last year too before finishing 5th in Dubai. He can repeat that form again. He has yet to return to the form he was in back in 2009 but recent events indicate that return is not far away and at these odds he is worth a small interest.
My fifth pick this week is Dutchman, Robert-Jan Derksen @ 225/1 with Bet365. The big hitter is not the most consistent but has a top 20 here and some decent enough results. He started well last week in Qatar also before slipping back. That early new year rustiness will hopefully have been dusted off and with a fairly mediocre field this week, I'll take a chance for a player that has won twice on the Tour but again at smaller stakes.


TIP 1 : 2 pts WIN H.Stenson @ 14/1 Paddypower

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w S.Gallacher @ 60/1 Betpack

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w T.Bjorn @ 50/1 Ladbrokes

TIP 4: 0.5 pts e/w S.Kjeldsen @ 150/1 Betpack

TIP 5: 0.25 pts e/w R-J. Derksen @ 225/1 Bet365