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Golf Betting: Five to follow during the Desert Swing

Golf Events RSS / / 18 January 2011 /

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The Desert Swing is perfect for Alvaro Quiros whose wildness off the tee goes largely unpunished

The Desert Swing is perfect for Alvaro Quiros whose wildness off the tee goes largely unpunished

"If, like me, you're expecting Rory McIlroy to improve in 2011, this section of the schedule
is the best time to capitalise. Rory spent the entire weekend in contention at last year's Abu Dhabi Championship, and is fancied for slightly better luck this time."

The European Tour is all set for four weeks of high-quality golf with most of the world's best playing at some point on the Desert Swing. But will all those big names how do you know who to back? Paul Krishnamurty outlines five men to follow

The 2011 Race to Dubai moves into top gear this week, with the start of the 'Desert Swing'. In keeping with the general shift in golfing power towards the Middle East, the swing is extended to four events this year, including the new Volvo Golf Champions in addition to regular fixtures at the Abu Dhabi Championship, Qatar Masters and Dubai Desert Classic. Here's five regional specialists to follow over the next month.

Martin Kaymer
No prizes for originality here, but this week's favourite and world number three has previously been seen to best effect in this part of the world. Abu Dhabi was the scene of his maiden victory in 2008, and he regained the title last year with an impeccable front-running display. Kaymer also has a fine record in the Dubai Desert Classic, where his worst result from three attempts is fourth. At their peak, world stars like Tiger Woods and Ernie Els proved virtually impossible to keep out of the frame in that event, and I suspect Kaymer fans will rack up big profits in renewals over the next decade. One word of warning about Kaymer though - his record at next week's Qatar Masters is poor compared to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Best Bet: To win the Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy
Again, McIlroy is a blindingly obvious selection, based on a stellar Gulf record. His breakthrough title came in the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic and he's only once finished worse than sixth in seven Middle East events over the past two seasons. If, like me, you're expecting Rory to improve in 2011, this section of the schedule
is the best time to capitalise. Rory spent the entire weekend in contention at last year's Abu Dhabi Championship, and is fancied for slightly better luck this time. The very best bet, though, could be [2.06] about a top-ten finish this week.
Best Bet: Top-Ten Finish in Abu Dhabi Championship @ [2.06]

Louis Oosthuizen
This is a big year for Oosthuizen, as he seeks to show that his Open victory wasn't a fluke. Prior to those St Andrews heroics, Louis had saved nearly all his best form for the Middle East. In 11 tournaments here over the past three seasons, Oosthuizen has registered ten top-25 finishes, including four top-fives. It is almost unanimously recognised that his game seemed to move up a gear after the Open, and as winner of the recent Africa Open, there are few players in better form. That extra 'match fitness', plus fifth and second place in the last two renewals, suggest Abu Dhabi represents his best chance.
Best Bet: To win the Abu Dhabi Championship @ [21.0]

Alvaro Quiros
The good thing about Quiros is that, while he is erratic and therefore usually available at decent odds, he is a winner. As an extremely long-hitter, though not always straight, he tends to save his best for wide-open layouts where he can let rip off the tee with impunity. That is usually the case with these Gulf courses. Quiros could plausibly win any of the three Desert Swing events, but by far his best opportunity will be at the Qatar Masters, where he's won and finished second in the last two renewals.
Best Bet: To win the Qatar Masters

Chris Wood
Widely tipped for glory after making the places at the Open whilst still an amateur, this third full season is a big one for Wood. Having blown several good winning opportunities, rarely looking convincing in contention, if he doesn't grab a maiden title in 2011 many followers will give up on him as a 'bottler'. However, it is far too early in his career to be drawing such conclusions, and there was much to like about Wood's seasonal debut second place in the Africa Open. That could be the perfect warm-up for the Desert Swing, in which Wood registered three straight top-20s last year.
Best Bet: Top-Ten Finish @ [7.0] in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Desert Classic

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