This article is part of our DraftKings Euro Tour series.
DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Course: Emirates GC
Yardage: 7,328
Par: 72
Tournament Preview
Desert golf continues this week for the European Tour. The Dubai Desert Classic has consistently attracted the biggest names in golf, and this year is no different. The last two years the Dubai Classic winner has gone on to win the Masters that year. Perhaps Sunday we will once again get a glimpse of who will put on the green jacket in April. The desert course has slight undulation with trees and shrubs throughout and water on 10 of 18 holes. The winner is usually leading the field in greens in regulation and driving distance. This, along with course history and recent form, will guide the picks.
Key Stats to Winning at Emirates GC
• Greens in Regulation
• Driving Distance
• Driving Accuracy
Past Champions
2017 - Sergio Garcia
2016 - Danny Willet
2015 - Rory McIlroy
2014 - Stephen Gallacher
2013 - Stephen Gallacher
DRAFTINGS PICKS
Rory McIlroy - $11,900 (9/2)
Rory returned last week in great fashion, finishing T3 in Abu Dhabi. He has won twice at Emirates GC and has finished T10 or better since 2009. McIlroy is my favorite play at the top, he has all the skills needed to dominate at Emirates GC and appears to be over his injury from last year. It looks like Rory is going to have a stellar year.
Henrik Stenson - $10,300 (10/1)
Over the years Stenson's been near the top of the leaderboards at Emirates GC. He won this tournament in 2007 and finished solo second last year. He was ranked sixth in greens in regulation last season and improved his average last week, hitting almost 80 percent GIR. Henrik averaged 294 yards of the tee last season and was ranked third in driving accuracy. He started his 2018 with a solo eighth last week in Abu Dhabi, and I expect the good form to continue on a course where he has enjoyed much success.
Martin Kaymer - $7,400 (40/1)
There appears to be great value with Kaymer. Only $7,400 for a 40-to-1 shot is hard to pass up. Kaymer finished T23 last year, but has three T4 at Emirates GC. He was T27 last week at Abu Dhabi and finished T17 and solo fifth prior to that to end the year. Kaymer is a great ball-striker and his price seems too low for a two-time major champion.
Jorge Campillo - $6,900 (125/1)
If you need to dive in to the bottom price tier, Campillo is my must play. In his six starts at Emirates GC, he is yet to miss a cut. He enters the Dubai Desert Classic after finishing solo 14th at Abu Dhabi last week and T12 the week before in South Africa. In the three tournaments he's played to start the season he is averaging more than 312 yards off the tee and 75 percent GIR. He is one of the few with a hot hand at the lower price level.
