Dubai Desert Classic 2018

Its the second event of the Desert Swing in Dubai this week to be played once again on the magnificent Majlis Course where Sergio Garcia defends. If we get a repeat of last Sunday in Abu Dhabi we will be in for a treat although I'd prefer to come out with a winner rather than yet again another dose of seconditis. Ross Fisher needs a break, his scoring in recent events has been tremendous but he's come up against one just too good and no one can argue with Tommy Fleetwood's performance to deny him last week! Still we move on and despite the field not looking as strong as Abu Dhabi, we have plenty of players that whet the appetite for the golf week again. Given Rory's warm-up last week its hard to see him not going in here, nor not seeing Henrik Stenson going close but we'll try try find a bit of value from our betting perspective. Sergio defends and having won last week in Singapore, he too arrives in form.

From my shortlist, I've found it to be a difficult event to get too involved in. Last week's selections, Fisher & Kaymer come back into my plans here and the former has a nice draw in a PM/AM start Thursday/Friday which seems to be an ideal plan for the Englishman. The former has been close often enough of late, including three runners-up placings in his last seven events, and the price has come in to reflect that but there's value still @ 32.00 for the win. He can boast 6/10 TOP20s here and recent form suggests he can improve that again this week and I'm sticking with him.

Martin Kaymer is kept onside in the hope that last week's warm-up will see an improved performance here at an event where he is 6/7, including 4 TOP-5s. Once he gets a solid start on a Thursday, I'm convinced the class will see him hit the "zone" and contend once more. As written in last week's preview, Kaymer had shown a return to form towards the end of 2017 and having got 4 rounds under his belt last week for a 27th placing, he may just spark a new title bid here and @60.00 to win I'm on board!

South African, Dylan Frittelli completes my staking plan this week as an each-way chance @ 51.00 (1/5 places 1-6). 4 TOP-20s from 5 starts this season including a win in Mauritius means he is in decent form and with the Majlis rewarding those hitting greens and making putts, Frittelli is expected to feature despite it being his course debut.

Staking Plan

1.50 pts win R.Fisher @ 32.00

1.00 pts win M.Kaymer @ 60.00

1.00 pts e/w D. Frittelli @ 51.00 (1/5 1-6)

5.50 pts TOP20 M.Kaymer @ 3.00