The European Tour starts its two-tournament swing through the UAE with this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The 126-player field in Abu Dhabi is headlined by World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, who also happens to be the tournament favorite. The 33-year old South Carolina native, fresh off a blowout win at Kapalua, is listed with 5-1 odds to win his second-straight title.
Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy is another favorite at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Coming off a winless year for the first time since 2008, McIlory is listed with odds of 8-1.
Also at 8-1 is Justin Rose, who finished 2017 on fire – winning three times in a six-start stretch, which additionally included a pair of top 5s and a top 10.
Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey, who helped lead Europe to a victory at last week’s EurAsia Cup, are both listed at 18-1.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, and Branden Grace, the runner-up at last weekend’d BMW SA Open, are at 20-1.
Tyrell Hatton (22-1), three-time tournament winner, Martin Kaymer (25-1), and Matt Kuchar (30-1) round out the top 10 players, according to the oddsmakers.
Our payoff pick this week is Chris Paisley at 150-1. The winner of last week’s South African Open, the Englishman is an easy pick to take a flyer on.
THE SKINNY
Tournament: Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Dates: Jan. 18-21, 2018
TV Network: GOLF Channel
Course: Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Where: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Distance: 7,600 yards, Par 72
Architect: Peter Harradine
Field/Format: 126 players; 72-hole stroke; 36-hole cut
Purse: $2,700,000
Winning Share: $500,000
Race to Dubai Points: 421,000
Defending Champion: Tommy Fleetwood
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