8th February 2012

Dubai Desert Classic Betting: Last week's runner up Peter Hanson can go one better in Dubai

The European Tour takes in the final leg of the Desert Swing this week when the tour moves into Dubai for the Dubai Desert Classic. This is always a well contested tournament which attracts a quality field and this year is no different. Alvaro Quiros will be in Dubai defending his title this week having been too good for Anders Hansen over 72 holes last year. Quiros is 25/1 with Bet365 to successfully defend the title.

As it has been since 2001, the Emirates Golf Club is the course being used this week. This is a really good golf course with water in play on ten of the holes. There have been changes made to the 5^th and 7^th holes which has added a few yards to the course. The course is now 7301 yards and remains a par 72. Strong winds have been forecast this week which could impact on the tournament.

Former winner Rory McIlroy is the favourite to win the tournament this week but he’s very short in a field of this quality even allowing for his undoubted talent. Martin Kaymer has a good record in the desert and he and Lee Westwood are next in the betting. Westwood hasn’t really put himself in the mix recently and Kaymer burnt a few fingers last week. With the quality of the field there is value a long way down the market outside the top 3.

One man who I think represents a bit of value this week is the Swedish Ryder Cup star Peter Hanson. He comes into this tournament in good form having finished 2^nd in Qatar last week in conditions which won’t have been too dissimilar to what he will face here. Hanson was in the top 10 of this tournament last year when only a dodgy third round really scuppered his chances. With his form strong and his game in these conditions reliable I think the Swede is worth a punt this week.

Back P.Hanson to win Dubai Desert Classic (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 23.00 with Coral

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