DP World Tour preview: Ras Al Khaimah Classic TV times and betting tips
After what can only be described as a slow start to our DP World Tour season, I am looking to use the invaluable course form and data provided at last week’s event to transform our fortunes. With success seeming to come more fruitfully for my tips on the PGA Tour so far in 2022, I am going to deploy a similar system of tracking correlating courses to find our winner this week. But before I get into my free golf betting tips…
- PGA Tour preview: Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ras al Khaimah Classic details
Venue: Al Hamra Golf Club, UAE
Date: February 10-13, 2022
Course stats: Par 72; 7,325 yards
Course summary: With increased course knowledge thanks to last week’s event at Al Hamra, we can now more confidently say that ball striking is key. Eventual champion Nicolai Hojgaard ranked 1st for SG: Off-the-tee and 1st for SG: Tee-to-green last week, while their appears to be an interesting correlation between this venue and Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus. That coastal course also hosted back-to-back events, so don’t be surprised to see a leaderboard littered with those who performed well at the Ras al Khaimah Championship.
Purse: $2 million
Defending champion: N/A (inaugural event)
Ras Al Khaimah Classic: TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30am
Friday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30am
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 8.30am
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30am
Ras Al Khaimah Classic golf betting tips
Bazza’s Banker: Thomas Detry – 2.5pt e/w @ 25/1 with Bet365
Detry may be the greatest example on the DP World Tour of a player who is so close, yet often so far, from a first title. After seeing his friend and compatriot Thomas Pieters win a few weeks ago, Detry will surely be itching to emulate that accolade and this could well be the week he gets over the line.
Detry finished 9th at last week’s event on the same course, and ranked 10th for SG: Tee-to-green. With what we now know about the importance of length from the tee here, Detry is also in great shape having ranked 7th for Driving Distance in the field last week.
Looking at other events where players tee it up on the same course in consecutive weeks, it is also encouraging to see that Detry was 10th and 4th in the two coastal Cyprus events at Aphrodite Hills in 2020. That instant improvement demonstrates a good golf brain, and the course knowledge from last week might just be the missing piece he needs to convert a first DP World Tour title.
The Each-Way Play: Callum Shinkwin – 1.5pt e/w @ 50/1 with Bet365
When you think of big hitters from the tee on this tour, Shinkwin immediately comes to mind. The Englishman ranked 4th for SG: Off-the-tee last week, and 4th overall last season in the same measure. He also ranked 8th for Driving Distance, which helped him to a T21 finish.
Shinkwin’s one DP World Tour win to date came at the first of the aforementioned Cyprus events, and he duly followed up with a T4 finish the following week. He clearly knows how to utilise course knowledge when he finds a track he likes.
At a big price, don’t be surprised to see him improve on his respectable finish from last week.
The Long Shot: Matthieu Pavon – 1pt e/w @ 66/1 with Bet365
Pavon had a fantastic week last week when finishing 3rd, and despite a long break since the Portugal Masters he continued a fine run of form. In his last four events, Pavon has finished twice inside the top-5 and twice inside the top-20.
When playing in the Canary Islands last year, Pavon also improved from his first to second event on the same course – rising 33 places in total. At last week’s event, Pavon ranked 5th for SG: Tee-to-green and gained strokes in all key measures.
I am a true believer that confidence is key, and I am sure based on recent results that this Frenchman has plenty of that in the locker.
For more prices, visit the Bet365 golf page.
