Golf Events / Tareq Quiroz / 28 January 2009 /

Tareq Quiroz says Henrik Stenson is a worthy favourite in Dubai, yet there may be value down among the three-figure players.

Who needs the PGA Tour when you have events like this? The 'Gulf Swing' has brought us two cracking tournaments with high-quality action. And I see no reason for that to change this week as we head over to Dubai for the showpiece of the desert swing, the Dubai Desert Classic. Another top class field has assembled for what promises to be the best event of the year so far.

The Course
The Emirates GC is once again the host course and it is certainly a venue most of this field will be very familiar with. Amazingly this tournament is now in its 20th year and the Emirates has always been the venue. It has grown into itself over the years and is now a very good test for the world's best players. There are plenty of opportunities for birdies and you will be sure to see some low scores through the week. It is not all straightforward though, and if you stray off the beaten track then you can find some very awkward spots. In recent years it has become something of a haven for the big hitters but it is by no means a track where the pin point players cannot win.

The Favourite
The honour of market leader for such a prestigious event deservedly goes to Henrik Stenson. The super Swede was in great form last week and is back on a course where he won in 2007. The scene is definitely set for a big performance from him and I would be very surprised if he wasn't in the shakeup come Sunday afternoon. Stenson is a man to follow when he is on his game so he would be the definite recommendation this week at current odds of [9.4].

The Next Best Bets
You cannot argue with claims of the in-form Louis Oosthuizen, especially when you consider his third place finish here last year. However, as much as I want to I cannot get involved at cramped odds of just [34.0] for a player with his overall record.

In golf it is imperative to watch out for promising performances from players out of form. Justin Rose, Darren Clarke, Ryder Cup 2010 captain Monty and David Howell are all at three-figure odds for an event where they would have been among the favourites in recent years. Someone who has been out of touch is Miguel Angel Jimenez. The Spaniard may not be as deep in the doldrums as some of the other players but he has certainly lost a bit of his consistency. He now appears to play well in patches, so after last week's fifth place finish he is a man to follow at a place where he has often played very well. Certainly at odds of [44.0] he merits some support.

The Massive Outsider
There are plenty of opportunities for big priced value seekers this week. When you see someone like Justin Rose at [110.0] you can't help but think he must be supported but with no form we will overlook him this time. There are so many outsiders with chances it is hard to pick just a couple. First on my list is Aussie Richard Green. He is a former winner here and when he is on his game he is well capable of winning even against a top field such as this. At odds of [110.0] you really can't go wrong.

The other player who will see my support this week is Oliver Wilson. He has taken some time to get into the swing of 2009 but you just know that once he does get that elusive win he will rack up a few. Take a chance on him flying into form in Dubai at odds of [100.0] and you may be well rewarded come Sunday.

Interesting Info
Ernie Els has played 44 rounds at this event over the years and has never once shot over level par. Jimenez had the first ever hole-in-one at this course and he also currently has the last one having got another last year. Eleven of the 16 winners of this event so far line-up this week for what promises to be a fantastic renewal of this great tournament.

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