Betting tips: Who wins the DP World Tour Championship?
The winner: Rory McIlroy
It’s really close between the Northern Irishman and Henrik Stenson and there’s a case for backing them both at 3/1 and 4/1 respectively.
I accept it’s pretty unimaginative punting to look at the pair that top the market but their respective records in this event are absolutely compelling.
Since 2009, McIlroy’s WORST performance has been 11th. Think about that. He’s gone 3rd, 5th, 11th, 1st, 5th, 2nd and 1st.
That’s an incredible run and, having solidified his putting and added extra length off the tee – an important factor at the ultra-long Jumeirah Golf Estates – it’s hard to see why you wouldn’t have him in your portfolio despite the price.
Coming off a tied 4th at the HSBC-Champions and victory in the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup, he just can’t be ignored.
Take away Stenson’s T59th a year ago and two consecutive victories at the DP World Tour Championship greet you. I am a big fan of horses for courses and this is a track the Swede clearly likes.
The each way back: Andy Sullivan
Speaking of horses and courses, the same applies to Andy Sullivan and he’s available at a very attractive 22/1.
Edged out last year by a single shot by McIlroy, he was 21st in his first appearance the year before.
Course form is also combined with good form. Second at the Portugal Masters, he was a steady T25th at the Turkish Airlines Open before finishing T3rd at last week’s Nedbank.
Only a final round 72 prevented him from getting into 2nd and I’m sure you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck with the Englishman in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship.
The dark horse: Charl Schwartzel
It’s not been a season to remember for the former Masters champion but at 50/1 he could find something to smile about as the European Tour reaches a climax.
He’s got plenty of event form – tied 4th last year, 5th in 2011 and 3rd in 2012 – and there were signs at the end of the PGA Tour campaign that he was starting to find a little bit of the old magic.
He got into the Tour Championship on the back of a T4th finish at the BMW and backed that up with a top 10 at East Lake.
Tied 30th at the HSBC-Champions and down the field in the Netbank doesn’t inspire but at the price, I’m prepared to take a chance on Schawartzel having a good week at the DP World Tour Championship.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
