Tuesday 27 January 2015 18:06, UK
Ben Coley takes a look at the players most likely to steal the headlines from world No 1 Rory McIlroy at this week's Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Rory McIlroy is the man to beat once again as the Middle East Swing comes to a conclusion with the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
It was here that McIlroy won his first title in 2009 and in four subsequent appearances his worst finish is 10th, so it’s clear that the Majlis Course is one which plays firmly to his strengths.
Indeed, the world number one said last week that he’s looking forward to tackling a layout which allows him to hit a lot of drivers, most of them requiring his favoured right-to-left shape, so having finished second despite putting poorly in Abu Dhabi it’s hard to envisage anything but a bold bid for the title.
McIlroy’s last six finishes on the European Tour read 1-1-1-2-2-2 and while he’s a short-priced favourite at 100/30 with Sky Bet, it’s hard to argue with such quotes.
Those looking for another way to profit from the game’s best player should also consider the first-round leader market, where McIlroy is a 5/1 chance. Ordinarily, single-figure prices would make zero appeal but Rory has been top of the day one leaderboard on four of his last five starts in the event and five of his last 15 tournaments worldwide.
Further down the list, Nicolas Colsaerts is edging back into top form and was ninth on his last start in the Dubai Desert Classic.
The big-hitting Belgian, a 50/1 shot this time, finished well in Qatar last week with weekend rounds of 67 and 68 – just one shot more than the eventual champion, Branden Grace – and only a cold putter cost him a chance to add to his pair of European Tour titles.
England’s Andy Sullivan seems to have quickly adjusted to winning his first professional title in the South Africa Open Championship and having been 12th here on his debut in 2012, he’s another at a big each-way price who could contend.
The former Walker Cup star bemoaned a bad week on the greens in Qatar but still finished on the heels of the leaders and is part of a wave of quality young players on the tour.
Finally, Sky Bet make Scott Hend 15/2 to finish inside the top 20 and that could be worth a bet.
The big-hitting Australian has the right game for this course and has never been in better form, signing off 2014 with a win in Hong Kong followed by a top-five finish in the Thailand Golf Championship, an event won by Lee Westwood with Martin Kaymer, Tommy Fleetwood and Sergio Garcia among the top 10.
Hend has been inside the top 20 here before and if forgiven a missed cut on his debut at Qatar last week looks a fascinating outsider.
