9th Nov 2021 | Dubai Championship
Dubai Championship: Adrian Otaegui
Ranked in the top-12 for strokes gained tee-to-green in two of last four starts and finished T37 here last year. If he can marry a hot putter with his peak ball-striking then potential to go low.
The Fire Course used for the Dubai Championship debuted on the European Tour last season and suffice to say it was a tad easier than the neighbouring Earth course. You needed to get to double-digits under par to crack the top-50 and the event turned into a total birdie-fest. The instinct is to find the hot putters but that is so variable i’m sticking with on form ball-strikers in the hope that one of these players has a good week on the greens.
Adrian Otaegui has enjoyed another good season on tour and his ball-striking has enjoyed some peaks of late. In terms of strokes gained tee-to-green he has ranked 11-60-12-72 in his last four starts and he finished T37 in this event last year. Two top-15 finishes on the Earth Course suggest this is a patch of land that suits the Spaniard and there is enough in his price at 80/1 to warrant an interest with William Hill paying 6 places at 1/5 odds.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 15:51 9th Nov, 2021 but subject to change