DP World Tour Championship Tips & Preview: Course Guide, Tee Times & TV

The Earth course brings the curtain down on the European Tour as we know it with the change in sponsorship starting next year. This event will stay the same it seems and with the absence of Rahm and Hovland it is clear the new sponsors of the game have a task on their hands to maintain the standing of this fine event. Driving Distance and Greens In Reg have always played their part here down the years with impressive approach play being key to giving you the requisite birdie chances to get into contention. 

Collin Morikawa at 17/2

The two at the front of the market hold all the aces this week and if any one of them get hot with the putter I expect them to be hard to topple. Both are streaky with the flat stick but with approach play key here I'm keen to get Morikawa on board. The American on his day is a cut above the rest, even over Rory these days, and I expect a bold bid from him to retain his place at the top of the Race To Dubai rankings. He managed a top ten finish here on debut last year and a win such as this would cement his place as a worldwide superpower in the game. Willett and Fitzpatrick have proven here over the past few years that you don't need to be the longest to compete and a top performance in other parts of the game can easily make up for a few yards of length from the tee. Morikawa is in the same mould as those two winners only with bags more talent and has shown on a handful of occasions now how impressive he is in closing events. With two majors and a WGC already in the bag, the DP World Tour should be well within his capabilities and the trip around here in 2020 should be ample preparation to land the European number one spot.

4pts C.Morikawa  17/2

Robert MacIntyre at 50/1 (7 places)

Robert MacIntyre must be monitored closely for a return to form and there were certainly signs last week that his game is improving. We all know in this game that if you're struggling off the tee you have little chance of competing anywhere. The Scot has been in that predicament lately but it's worth noting that his off the tee game has improved now three events on the trot and dramatically so last week in Dubai. That's a fair starting point for Bobby who will need an improvement in approach play to figure across the week. With the Driver hurdle cleared hopefully he can move onto the approach game and we'll see significant improvements there also. A 3rd and 8th placed finish in the Dubai Desert as well as a top 15 here suggests he is more than capable in these parts and should his improvement continue we may see the best of him of this week. 

1pt each-way R.MacIntyre  50/1  (1/5 7)

Lucas Herbert at 50/1 (7 places)

Jason Scrivener is interesting once again at triple figures having not played well once again last week but managing a tie for 31st with some heroics on the greens. He is getting a lot out of a poor game right now and the upside could be huge if he managed a good week with the irons. Lucas Herbert won for us a few weeks ago in Bermuda and I wouldn't rule out the Aussie's career going from strength to strength. He may be best in tougher conditions but his interview after round 3 in Bermuda was indicative of his confidence in contention. He relished the fact there would be wind and rain the following day and probably gained a stroke in attitude heading into that final day. He hits the ball an absolute mile which is a huge advantage around here and of course, already has a win in the Desert last year. Add to that another top ten in the same event and we certainly can not rule out a desert specialist. He has two wins in his last 12 starts but worth noting five missed cuts also so he is certainly not one to be relied upon. Nevertheless, he is in the throes of a career year and his ruthlessness in contention will be a huge positive should he be in the mix at the weekend. 

1pt each-way L.Herbert  50/1  (1/5 7)