DP World Tour Championship preview: TV times and betting tips

In a European Tour schedule that saw more than a handful of inaugural events due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, there we finish in the familiar surroundings of the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai for the traditional season-ending DP World Tour Championship. Here’s everything you need to know…

DP World Tour Championship: The details

Venue: Jumeirah Golf Estates (Earth course), Dubai, UAE

Date: December 10-13, 2020

Course stats: Par 72; 7,676 yards

Course summary: A long desert track with forgiving fairways and large Bermuda grass greens, the Earth course boasts strategically placed water hazards and close to 100 bunkers to give players plenty to think about. But for those who navigate safely there will be plenty of opportunities to attack the greens. An explosive finish is expected down the closing stretch on Sunday, with the island green par-3 17th and the notorious par-5 18th with its risk-reward nature.

Purse: $8 million

Defending champion: Jon Rahm (-19)

DP World Tour Championship: TV coverage

Thursday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7am.
Friday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7am.
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 7am.
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 6.30am.

DP World Tour Championship: Staking plan

Robert MacIntyre – 3pt e/w @ 25/1 with bet365

Since securing his first European Tour title in Cyprus recently, MacIntyre has been in sublime form. His maiden victory was followed by a 6th place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, making it three consecutive top-10s. In Dubai last week MacIntyre threatened to do it all again, dazzling us with a front-nine 29 in round three. Last week’s performance was the perfect preparation for this event, the Scot ranked 3rd for SG: Off-the-Tee, 10th for SG: Around-the-Green, and hit 80% GIR. As he told NCG back in August, the world’s top 50 is high on his list of ambitions and a win here nudges him that extra bit closer.

Matt Wallace – 3pt e/w @ 25/1 with bet365

Despite narrowly missing out on winning last week’s event at the Fire course, Wallace certainly demonstrated he is playing some excellent golf. A 2nd place finish in this event in 2018 further highlights the danger this four-time European Tour winner poses to the field, and with his current form I am struggling to find reasons not to back him. Wallace has what is required to win here, ranking 5th for SG: Approach, 7th for SG: Around-the-Green and 7th for SG: Putting last week. That performance should be a good indicator for this week, and with two runner-up finishes in his last five events I fancy Wallace to go one better this time.

Andy Sullivan – 3pt e/w @ 30/1 with bet365

Sullivan is a non-negotiable selection for me this week, after impressing with an opening 61 in the Golf in Dubai Championship. I am positive that Sullivan will feel frustrated not to win his fifth European Tour title from that position but four under-par rounds, and a 23-under-par final score, should not be overlooked. Sullivan has been a runner-up here before, back in 2015, and with two top-3 finishes in his last four events he certainly looks capable of another crack at this. Last week Sullivan also ranked 17th for SG: Off-the-Tee and 2nd for SG: Approach, two key measures for this track. In what has been a great season for Sullivan, it would be no surprise to see him go close in this final event.

Jamie Donaldson – 1.5pt e/w @ 90/1 with bet365

This season has been somewhat of a resurgence of Ryder Cup hero Donaldson. The Welshman has been in incredible form recently, with a runner-up finish last week epitomising a run of three top-10s and a top-20 in six events. Aside to finishing second, Donaldson also ranked 5th for SG: Approach and 3rd for SG: Putting at the Gary Player Country Club last week. His previous course form also adds to his appeal, as he has two top-10 finishes here in 2012 and 2013. This will be another step up for Donaldson, but with just four over-par rounds in his last 20, he could be one to watch at a big price this week.

Sam Horsfield – 1pt e/w @ 110/1 with bet365

Despite a less than spectacular run of recent form, Horsfield’s price looks too big here for a two-time winner this season and I fancy him for some each-way value. At last week’s event Horsfield finished T45 with four respectable under-par rounds. Although not threatening the leaders, Horsfield played some good golf in places, ranking in the top-35 for SG: Putting and SG: Approach. Horsfield will need to improve this week, and get closer to the form that saw him win twice on the UK Swing earlier in the season, but I cannot ignore him at a three-figure price.

For more prices, visit bet365.