2022 DP World Tour: Ras Al Khaimah Championship preview

2022 DP World Tour
Ras Al Khaimah Championship
Al Hamra Golf Course, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
3th- 6th February

Low-key in the UAE

Viktor Hovland benefitted from yet another Rory McIlroy meltdown to capture arguably the biggest title of his career last week. I guess the consolation for fans of the Northern Irishman is that he may be using up all his calamities ahead of this year’s Masters.

This event will mark the 3rd leg of the DP World Tour’s new, elongated Middle East Swing. This inaugural staging of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship is really on a hiding to nothing this year.

Not only does it have to compete with the obvious allure of the PGA Tour. But it also coincides with the Asian Tour’s first solo hosting of the Saudi International.

The Saudi International was removed from the European Tour roster last year due to legitimate concerns about human rights and ‘sportswashing’. Do Greg Norman and his cohorts in Saudi Arabia care about the damage this is going to cause to an already embattled DP World Tour?

Al Hamra – typical desert fare?

In any event, this year’s Ras Al Khaimah event does not feature a single player ranked inside the world’s top 50 golfers. It will take place at yet another sprawling, desert layout.

Al Hamra Golf Course was designed by Dubai-based Peter Harradine and it has actually featured several times on the Challenge Tour. Its last professional hosting gig was the 2018 Challenge Tour Grand Final.

It is typical of most desert tracks, with exposed fairways and dangerous water hazards. One major change this week is that very little wind is expected. This should result in a birdie-fest and should favour those with hot putters.

I think that the bombers should prosper around Al Hamra. None of the par 5’s measure less than 576 yards. The 8th is a veritable monster that tops 600 yards. Look for massive hitters in decent putting form.

This event only features about a quarter of the prize money offered in the two previous Rolex Series events. This has obviously affected the quality of the field severely.

But you can’t help but admire the determination of this year’s sponsors. Ras Al Khaimah have stepped into the void left by next week’s cancelled Qatar Masters, offering to host another event at this course next week (it will be called the Ras Al Khaimah Classic).

Wiseberger tops betting boards

2021 Ryder Cupper Bernd Wiesberger is a pretty overwhelming favourite in this truncated field. He’s trading at 11/1 while the likes of Meronk and Jordan Smith are currently at 25/1.

You always have to fancy the Hojgaard twins to prosper in an event such as this. Also, how nice was it to see Padraig Harrington amongst the top 10 last week? He really needed that after what must have been quite a pride-swallowing experience at Whistling Straits last year.

To Win Outright:

Bernd Wiesberger 11/1 | Adrian Meronk 25/1 | Jordan Smith 25/1 | Robert Macintyre 25/1 | Romain Langasque 28/1

Value Bets

Johannes Veerman- To Win 55/1 | To Place 12/1

I’m taking a stab at new father Johannes Veerman this week. The affable American has been on an extremely light schedule thus far this year and will be looking to build up some steam this week. Perhaps the joys of fatherhood will result in some success this week. Veerman had a real breakthrough 2021 campaign, claiming his maiden European Tour title at the D&D Real Czech Masters. He also picked up a couple of decent desert results, finishing 14th at the Qatar Masters and 21st at the DP World Tour Championship.

Grant Forrest- To Win 66/1 | To Place 14/1

Here I’m opting for a guy at a big price who has some decent course form. Grant Forrest finished in a tie for 10th at the 2018 Challenge Tour Grand Final. There were some encouraging signs for Forrest at last week’s Dubai Desert Classic (particularly from the tee). Forrest is a prodigious driver who should thrive in this heavily depleted field. The 28-year-old Scot won last year’s Hero Open and he looks great value at 66/1.

The Man to Beat- Alexander Bjork- To Win 33/1 | To Place 7/1

Alexander Bjork just looks like a great pick on this relatively mysterious course. He finished the 2021 season in great form, which included a remarkable 2nd place at the DP World Tour Championship. He also claimed a T6 at the 2019 Qatar Masters (another Peter Harradine design). He finished in a tie for 20th at the Abu Dhabi Championship just two weeks back. That was a much more competitive field and I think his putting skills should stand him in good stead this week: he ranked 3rd for SG: Putting in 2021.