Dubai Desert Classic Betting: McIlroy heads three ball picks

Three Ball Bets / Dan Geraghty / 08 February 2012 / 2

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Dan's backing Rory to overcome to struggling players in Dubai

"Rory McIlroy [2.1] finds himself a short price favourite in Dubai where his form remains second to none."

Dan Geraghty selects a trio of players who he believes should be backed in first round three balls at this week's Dubai Desert Classic...

It was one step forward and a couple back for the three ball column last week. Martin Kaymer saw off Alvaro Quiros but found an inspired KJ Choi too good, Peter Uihlen managed to beat Damian McGrane but struggled badly and was easily beaten himself by Thomas Aiken; and Lorenzo Gagli was beaten into second by Michael Hoey. Nicolas Colsaerts provided the glimmer of light by seeing off Josie Maria Olazabal and Colin Montgomerie.

This week, I was thinking of turning my attention to the US Tour, partly because I'm sick of waking up at 7am to find my players have already been beaten into second but the Pro Am format has put me off and I will stick to the European Tour for another week.

Rory McIlroy [2.1] finds himself a short price favourite in Dubai. His form here, despite getting worse, remains second to none. McIlroy can lay claim to three top 10's here in a row, including victory in 2009. The young Northern Irishman has started each of those tournaments with a round in the 60's (64, 68, 65). I'm happy to back him to see off Alvaro Quiros, who has had a very disappointing start to the new year, and Robert Rock, who finds himself in the showcase three ball after taking down Tiger Woods in Abu Dhabi but who may struggle to live with McIlroy round here.

I remember Lee Westwood [2.2] snatching defeat from the jaws of victory here in 2010, that was a tournament he should have won and he certainly has the game to add his name to the list of illustrious winners round here. His first round opponents are similar to McIlroy's, a very recent winner and a talent without much recent form to his name. Westwood has started the season solidly, if not spectacularly, and I think a big week could be on the cards.

Chris Wood [2.3] made his feelings know on the decision to reduce to 54 holes last week. He tweeted: "Shame it's not going to be 72 holes but the tour website says Hunter Mahan has to get back to play Pebble Beach next week... #justsaying". Following those comments, Wood played a fantastic third round, catapulting him to 20th position. Perhaps with a fourth round, he could have hit the top ten. That performance bodes well for this week in Dubai where Wood has been in the top 20 each of the past two years. He can come out on top in his tee time with Derksen and Ferrie who have both struggled this year.

Recommended Bets

1st Round Three Balls

08:20 Rory McIlroy [2.1] 2 points

04:20 Lee Westwood [2.2] 2 points

03:40 Chris Wood [2.3] 1 point

Profit / Loss: -7.92 points

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Steve Rawlings | 09 February 2012

Three out of three, top tipping Dan!
Mike Norman | 09 February 2012

Well done Dan, you deserved a change of luck - good stuff mate.