DraftKings Euro Tour: Dubai Desert Classic

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Published on January 22, 2020

Dubai Desert Classic

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Course: Emirates Golf Club
Yardage: 7,353
Par: 72

Tournament Preview

The European Tour stays in the desert this week for the Dubai Desert Classic. The tournament has been played at Emirates GC since 2001 and once again has an exceptionally strong field. The desert course is lined with trees and shrubs but is still exposed to the elements. Wind will be a factor and its primary defense. There is slight undulation throughout, with water on about half of the holes. The greens are small and bunker protected, ball striking will be key once again this week. Scores will be low at Emirates. Par-5 scoring and birdies per round, along with course history and recent form, will guide the picks.

Key Stats to Winning at Emirates

Greens in Regulation
SG: Approach the Green
SG: Off the Tee
Par-5 Scoring
Birdies

Past Champions

2018 - Bryson DeChambeau
2017 - Sergio Garcia
2016 - Danny Willett
2015 - Rory McIlroy
2014 - Stephen Gallacher

DraftKings Picks

Matthew Fitzpatrick - $10,900 (11/1)

The top price tier is loaded with intriguing options. My two favorites are Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick. Both have good results at Emirates and are in form at the moment. Fitzpatrick is a bit more appealing with the $400 savings, but I believe both are solid choices and could even be grouped together in GPP lineups. Fitzpatrick was top 10 in almost every scoring category on tour last year. He is accurate with every club in his bag.

Victor Perez - $9,300 (28/1)

Perez has continued his good play since his win at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in September. He has followed that up with three top-5s. The most recent was T2 last week in Abu Dhabi. He is long and accurate with his driver, ranking sixth last season in SG: off the tee. Perez was T29 last year at Emirates GC, as a first-timer. He ranked 26th in greens in regulation and 11th in SG: approach on tour in 2019.

Andy Sullivan - $7,900 (50/1)

This price appears too low for Sullivan. He arrives with momentum from six made cuts in a row. His highest finish in that time was a T6 at the South African Open. He was T21 last week at Abu Dhabi. He missed the cut last year at Emirates but was T6 the year prior. Sullivan did finish runner up at Dubai Desert Classic in 2016. He ranks fifth on tour in SG: Approach the green to start the season.

Matthieu Pavon - $6,500 (250/1)

There are a few interesting choices in the bottom price tier this week. Romain Wattel has made the cut the last three years at Emirates, finishing T16 last year. He was T3 in 2014. His first tournament of 2020 was a T33 at the Australian PGA Championship and is worth a look at $6,200. Matthieu Pavon is another option worth considering. He may be a bit safer, having five made cuts in a row, three of which are from this season. He finished T55 last week in Abu Dhabi, with a 1-under par Sunday. He is ranked 29th in SG: off the tee on tour this season. Pavon was T24 last year at Emirates.

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