THE curtain comes down on the DP World Tour season this week, with Rory McIlroy starting as a hot favourite to command centre stage in Dubai.
McIlroy tops the Tour rankings, and is expected to finish the year as Europe’s leading money earner for the fourth time, by romping to a third victory in the DP World Tour Championship.
He has already reclaimed the world No 1 spot after winning his last start, the CJ Cup in South Carolina, so it is easy to see why he is a clear market leader.
If he brings his A game, McIlroy has the ability to spread-eagle the fifty-man field. But there are enough ifs and buts to make odds of just 3-1 look far too skinny.
The main concern is whether McIlroy has anything left in the tank, after playing out of his skin for most of the year while also leading the fight against the LIV rebels.
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He has run out of steam a few times in this event since his second win – back in 2015 – finishing ninth, 20th, fourth and sixth in his four subsequent starts..
This time last year McIlroy was leading by two shots with four holes to play.
But just over an hour later he was ripping his shirt off in frustration after playing those holes in three over par, while a late birdie blitz from Collin Morikawa carried him to a three shot victory.
McIlroy’s closing rounds in his last three appearances on this long, par 72 lay-out have been 73-73-74 – not the sort of figures that inspire confidence as such short odds. So we’ll look elsewhere for the value.
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Hotshot: Matt Fitzpatrick, 9-1.
The US Open champion simply loves this course. He won here for the second time a couple of years ago, and finished joint second behind Collin Morikawa last year.
He is a combined 29 under par for those eight rounds, and in addition to his first victory in 2016, he was tied fourth on his first visit the previous year.
It was a shock to see Fitz miss the cut at Valderrama last time out, when he was the defending champion. But that will just make him even more determined to end the year when he made his Major championship breakthrough on a high note.
At three times the odds on offer for McIlroy – and most bookmakers paying each way for the top six – he has to be the top pick.
Mid price: Kurt Kitayama, 33-1.
Kitayama finished just a shot behind McIlory when he won the CJ Cup, and the much-travelled American has quietly worked his way into the top fifty of the world rankings.
He has produced a few more eye-catching efforts in addition to that solo second in South Carolina, including another runner-up finish behind Xander Schauffele in the Scottish Open.
It is hard to believe Kitayama is still looking for a third DP World Tour win after becoming the fastest player ever to win twice – a feat he managed in just eleven starts.
He might find one of the top two too good again this week, but at these odds he is certainly worth backing.
Long shot: Shubhankar Sharma, 150-1.
Another player who is overdue a third success, after two wins in his rookie season in Europe earned the Indian star the rookie of the year honours in 2018.
He qualified for this event for the only other time that year, and will have to banish the memories of an horrendous final round 88 – although previous scores of 67-66 showed he has the game for Dubai.
Sharma went into the notebook as a potential winner this year when he finished in a share of second at the hotly-contested Abu Dhabi, but struggled to show the same form for much of the year.
But he was level with Tommy Fleetwood and Ryan Fox at the Nedbank Challenge with three holes to play last week, before a couple of bogeys dropped him to third. That was still a fine effort, and he could reward each way backers again.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can you improve your golf game in a matter of hours?
You can improve your game by practicing 20 minutes per day, three days a week. Consistent practice is key to playing well at tournaments. Practice makes perfect!
Can I improve the game of golf by not practicing?
It is vital to practice regularly if you want to improve your game. However, if you don’t possess the time or resources to consistently perform drills, you can still improve. Keep in mind that you should always strive to practice what you have set out to do. You should play fast if you want to play faster. If you want to hit the target farther, you should also focus on hitting the target further.
Is it possible to be better by watching pros play?
Watching pro players play makes you better at video games. Learning from the mistakes of other players can help you improve your game. You can also learn from the mistakes of professional players to improve your game.
Do I really require a golf membership to play?
No, you don’t need a golf course membership. You will have access to all facilities on the course such as the driving ranges and the putting greens.
Is it possible that a professional Golfer can make a living from the game?
Yes, you can make money as a professional golfer. It takes dedication and hard work. There are pros who make millions of dollars every year.
Can I play golf?
Golf is good for you. It’s quite healthy. Studies show that golfers live longer lives than non-golfer. Golfers tend to be happier and less stressed than non-golfers.
Statistics
- This means as much as 50% of your practice time. (practical-golf.com)
- According to Shot Scope’s database of more than 30 million shots, 80% of missed greens are missed short. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- Shot Scope’s mapping data reveals 72% of danger is at the front of the green (sand or water), whereas there’s only 28% behind. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- By adding 10 more yards to all their golf shots amateurs will increase the percentage of greens they hit by 8 – 10%. (golfinsideruk.com)
- The blade aim at impact controls 92% of the ball’s start line, so prioritise face aim as a place to start (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
External Links
blog.trackmangolf.com
faziodesign.com
shotscope.com
collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity.edu
How To
Five easy steps to improve your swing golf
Golf is one of the most popular sports worldwide. To be a great golfer, you need to practice a lot. Practice is the best thing to do in order to improve your game. Spend at least 2 hours a week playing golf. You may not always have enough time to play the game of golf. These five simple exercises can help you improve your golf swing.
- Start from the bottom – Stand straight up, keep your back straight, hold the club straightly, bend your knees slightly, and begin swinging the club. Focus on the target and keep your head still. This helps to position you before hitting the ball.
- Balance is key – Stand straight and keep your feet together. Also, ensure that your weight is evenly distributed throughout the body. Your weight should shift in the direction of the front leg as you hit onto the ball.
- Bend your knees – To assist you in bending your knees, place both your hands on your hips. Next, exhale and take a deep inhale. Then bend your knees while you breathe. This will allow your lower body to follow through when you swing the club.
- Relax your shoulders. Let them free-range as you swing your club. This will enable you to generate power and speed without having to use excessive force.
- Your target is what you should be focusing on – Instead of looking down at it, fix your sights on the ball. Focus your gaze straight ahead on the area you want to hit it. Remember that if you look down at the ball, you won’t be able to see what you are doing wrong.
