Dubai Desert Classic

Worlds Top 3 set for a classic in the Dubai Desert this week:

So the desert swing reaches its Crescendo this week at the Emirates Course and with it we finally see a real battle of the big guns :shooter:

Not only Will Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods (1 - 3 respectively in the OGWR) be competing in the same event for the first time this year, they will leterally be teeing it up together as they are scheduled to play in the same 3 ball.

So we will see them go head to head for at least the first 2 days (thats where the majority of the sky coverage will be then) we will also see how fair under the pressure they will try to place on each other and how their games so far this year compare! ( Any betting Tiger finishes way behind on Fairways hit compared to Westy)

I'm hoping LW/MK can consolidate and show no signs of nerves to keep flying the flag for the ET. That's not to say I want to see another Tiger car crash, because I would love to see him back at his best, but if he shows no improvement from a couple of weeks ago, he'll do nothing again this season. If that's the case i expect to see him take an 'injury time-out' to try and sort himself out for the Masters.

I didn't know those three were grouped together - outstanding!

Oddly, i find myself actually hoping Tiger isn't embarrased by Lee and Kaymer. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kaymer 4 or 5 shots clear of the other two at the half way stage. I can't see him being overawed one jot

I'd go for Kaymer of those 3. Westy is rusty and Woods too. Woods have however had good results here in the past, but I can't see him win this thing.

Outside the group I'd go for Karlsson. Usually plays well in the desert and seems to be in good shape. MAJ could do well also.

A dark horse could be Thomas Bjorn. Did win last week so seems to be in good shape and has previously won in Dubai - after playing 4 rounds with Tiger btw. Additionally I think the Dubai course is his official home course.

Interestingly, Woods is only 3rd favourite, according to Sporting Odds, who have Kaymer then Rory, then Woods all pretty close, then LW 4th at 12's.

Not very often at all that Woods tees it up less than favourite, but I guess the bookies must have been paying attention to what has been happening lately.

That is a pretty tasty group for the 1st 2 days. Anyone know what time they are out on thursday/friday?

Looks like they aer out 8:20am on Thursday then 4:00am Friday (UK times) - 4 hours behind local time

Victor Chandler bookies have Kaymer favourite at 9/2 then Woods (and Rory) on 13/2 and Westwood 12/1

Don't see how Woods could possbly start as a favourite to be honest.

I think it makes good sense that Kaymer starts as favourite as out of the top 3 OGWR he is the form player, and as for Rors he has won at the Emirates course before and likes it out their makes perfect sense,

Correct Mav - 13/2 seems ridiculously short odds for Tiger at the moment

Davie to be totally honest looking at the field I wouldn't have woods in the top 5for the betting so many more players in form and more deserving of shorter odds

Bjorn - Recent winner
Stenson - Past winner of Desert Classic and seems to be getting some form back
Quiros - Having a good start to the year and with his long game can take any course apart
Rors- No need to clarify why
Kaymer - Westwood as Rors needs no clarity
Jimenez always dangerous inany event

Agree with your names there - though I was a little surprised to see Quiros as the next in the betting after the big 3 and Rors

Maverick

Agree with Stenson and at 40/1 e/w value and whilst I think Kaymer is a worthy fav not much value at those odds in a 150 runner race!.

I am looking for a big week from Stephen Gallacher. Currently 74 in OWGR.

Last event before the field for the WGC matchplay is confirmed. Hopefully a top 5 finish will get him into the top 64 and have 2 Scots competing.

Anyone currently in the top 64 expected to give it a miss? Mickelson perhaps?

That is certainly a mouth-watering 3-ball with the top three in the world playing together for the first two days. I was surprised to read that Kaymer has never played with Tiger before! Even though Tiger isn't the intimidating force he used to be I wonder how Kaymer will cope with all the hoopla

Davie I think we'll get a good indication of where Lee and Martin's games hold up this weekend. Playing with Tiger can be intimidating for some, and also the massive interest from over the pond, will mean constant cameras poked in the faces of the group, for 2-days. If they can cope with the hullabaloo ok, I think they'll be fine, and I don't think either of them will be intimidated by the World No 3. The Yanks over there on-course, will be hoopingandawhaling every time TW hits the ball

Doc wrote:I'm hoping LW/MK can consolidate and show no signs of nerves to keep flying the flag for the ET. That's not to say I want to see another Tiger car crash, because I would love to see him back at his best, but if he shows no improvement from a couple of weeks ago, he'll do nothing again this season. If that's the case i expect to see him take an 'injury time-out' to try and sort himself out for the Masters.

There shouldn't be any nerves, Tiger will need to get a few wins under his belt to have the same aura about him and by the time that comes around MK or LW could be quite comfortable with their lofty status. The exciting thing about this week is the possibilities and the questions that need answered. It has been a slow start from LW, it would be nice to see him get into gear for the season ahead.

Redrage - I don't think it's nerves that is the potential problem - it's the circus that always follows Tiger.

Kaymer has yet to experience that.

No one is intimidated by Tiger anymore, but someone who hasn't been through the experience may well be taken aback by the circus aspect

Davie wrote:Redrage - I don't think it's nerves that is the potential problem - it's the circus that always follows Tiger.

Kaymer has yet to experience that.

No one is intimidated by Tiger anymore, but someone who hasn't been through the experience may well be taken aback by the circus aspect

Well they faced off in the Ryder Cup, is there a bigger circus than that? It would be a different matter if they were paired together at the Masters or another major in the US, but this week I think MK rightly starts as favourite.

Did they play against each other in the Ryder Cup?

Kaymer has been quoted this week as saying they have never played against each other

Davie wrote:Did they play against each other in the Ryder Cup?

Kaymer has been quoted this week as saying they have never played against each other

I think I am talking bawz. I had a quick google search and it spat out a ryder cup thing, but when I read the full article he and LW never took and Tiger and Stricker. The RC site is down so I can't double check in there... Anyways, he wouldn't have been quoted saying what you say if it wasn't the case. It's a bit of surprise though, you'd have thought it would have happened before now.

Huh...the three of them are teeing up together? Not sure that's a great idea - for one thing, the crowds around that trio will be insane. Makes for a great spectacle I'm sure (and I'm not complaining!), but practically...hmmm. If I were a betting man, I'd slap it on Quiros. Certainly got more than a punter's chance around this course.

Scoring has started out pretty low on day 1. McIlroy is currently -7 through 12holes having just had 5 consecutive birdies.

Garcia going well again seems to be coming back to Sergio of old slowly, top 5 last week and currently at -3 through ten and in 3rd place hope that continues


Attentions will surely turn to 0820 when the current big 3, of Westwood, Kaymer and Woods tee it up for their opening round. The bookies have Westwood as the outsider in that group despite being ranked No1

It will be interesting to see how the top 64 looks after this week for the WGC Accenture matchplay as there are more ranking points available in Dubai than at the circus that is the AT&T

Westwood and Kaymer both -1 after 5 holes - Tiger 2 over!

Young Rors fniished -7

All bubbling along nicely for a great tournament at the moment!

Anyone watching? Am at work and can't find any live link.

Is Woods snarling at +2 or has that not started yet?

Great shooting from McIlroy - 5 birdies in a row is good going!

Woods is back to +1 maybe slow start or could just be further struggles of the Mr Woods.

Westwood and Kaymer both -1 through 6.

Edfors battle back from +2 front half to finish -2.

Rory clubhouse leader at -7.
Segio another good round closing out the day at -5

David Howell highlight of the day an Ace, hole in one for the Howeller

A mind boggling 80 from Alexander Noren

4 birdies, two double-bogeys and a triple, and 5 bogeys. Only 6 pars! That must've been some round to watch

Now through 12 and LW and Kaymer both -2, Tiger +2.

Not seen any of it, but Rory's early -7 still looks pretty good

I think Rhys Davies showed he still has a way to go before he can called a regular contender on tour with his attepmted 6 iron approach at the 6th from behind a tree today, where he could have pitched out sideways and ensured no worse than a bogey he went for the green, thus snapping the shaft on his 6iron shaft in several places just about securing a double bogey.

Eagle by Woods at the 18th. Takes him back in contention.

pedro wrote:Eagle by Woods at the 18th. Takes him back in contention.

One hole doesn't win tournaments.

Looking at his scorecard he was lucky not to have dropped a handful more.

4 shots from 2nd place is heck of a lot better than 6 shots. When you have been in an uphill battle for the last year I'm quite sure you'd be happy not to be out of contentioan already after the first day.

pedro wrote:4 shots from 2nd place is heck of a lot better than 6 shots. When you have been in an uphill battle for the last year I'm quite sure you'd be happy not to be out of contentioan already after the first day.

He's already 6 shots off the lead you numpty.

And he's taking far too many putts for a man who only hit 10 or so greens in regulation. Contention? If it's a 10 shot rule he'll be lucky to make the cut!

Not sure if this came up recently in posts but is Tiger in Dubai because of appearance money
or that he does not want to play for his old sponsors At&t in Pebble.

Anyone know if he is getting appearance money and how much?

LondonJonnyO wrote:

pedro wrote:4 shots from 2nd place is heck of a lot better than 6 shots. When you have been in an uphill battle for the last year I'm quite sure you'd be happy not to be out of contentioan already after the first day.

He's already 6 shots off the lead you numpty.

And he's taking far too many putts for a man who only hit 10 or so greens in regulation. Contention? If it's a 10 shot rule he'll be lucky to make the cut!

Yes, 6 shots off the lead - but there's only one guy in the lead! If there was 5 guys in the lead it's a different matter. One guy can easily lose a couple of shots on one hole, 5 guys can't! I'm quite sure the feeling is different for the chasing players. That's why the second place is interesting here.

2 place is never interesting.

Question.

Who finished 2nd in each of the 4 majors over the last 3 years? I bet you don't know that off the top of your head... but there is a fair chance you will be able to name who actually won them.

6 shots off the lead after round 1 and making an eagle to scrape in under par is not playing well and contending. It's just keeping your head above water.

2nd Place = 1st loser! :crying:

You don't get my point. I'm talking about the feeling the player is having after 1st round. Important is that you feel you are still in contention. One distant leader can easily fall away, even if he leads by 4-5 shots after 3 rounds. Of course nobody aims to finish second, but you need to feel you have a chance. That's why I think 4 shots off second place isn't too bad here.

LJ

2010 PGA - Dustin J
2010 open - westwood
2010us open- havret
2010 masters- westwood

2009 pga - tiger
2009 open - watson
2009 us open - mickelson ????
2009 masters - cant remember who was all in playoff, chad campbell maybe

2008 pga -garcia
2008 open - garcia
2008 us open - rocco
2008 masters - ?????

How was that for runners up?? I admit not totally sure but the runner up is usually a big part of the story.

pedro wrote:You don't get my point. I'm talking about the feeling the player is having after 1st round. Important is that you feel you are still in contention. One distant leader can easily fall away, even if he leads by 4-5 shots after 3 rounds. Of course nobody aims to finish second, but you need to feel you have a chance. That's why I think 4 shots off second place isn't too bad here.

I think it's obvious that you are more of a Baldrick or possibly a George rather than anything else.

You're not too far off there I think Mac.

But the point is that the majors are of interest to a great many more people than a regular event. And people hardly remember those... At the end of the day who is really going to care who comes second in this event other than the player themselves as it increases their earnings and ranking points. And possibly anyone who took an each way or place bet on them.

Think you'll find 2010 PGA was Bubba after playoff DJ failed to get into due to bunkergate

LondonJonnyO wrote:
I think it's obvious that you are more of a Baldrick or possibly a George rather than anything else.

Steady on LJ .. don't make me get out my red pen....

Davie wrote:

LondonJonnyO wrote:
I think it's obvious that you are more of a Baldrick or possibly a George rather than anything else.

Steady on LJ .. don't make me get out my red pen....

You know you want to!

Besides... Is it insulting if the insultee doesn't know they are being insulted?

I suspect google is currently getting a bashing.

LondonJonnyO wrote:Is it insulting if the insultee doesn't know they are being insulted?

Yes. Drop it

Mav

yes I think you are correct, what with all the attention dustin got I have forgotten what actually happened.

LJ

Steady on, what has pedro done to you to provoke the responses given to him? I hate to say it but you are increasingly becoming the resident pest on this site.

Mac.

I think his opinion is total tripe. Nothing else. And his "4 shots off second and shooting -1 with an eagle on the last is great" love statements for Woods are so far from what he refers to as in contention it's a joke.

As a result I'm attacking that opinion with statements as to why 2nd is a pointless measure. And why -1 is not a good score when you make eagle on the last to scrape under par when others that people are constantly referring to as pretenders to the ranking they have, or useless putters are shooting way below that number.

In the case is second really a pointless position. We know that on most weeks rory manages to throw in a big number. It would be no surprise to see him shoot 76 tomorrow. Further tiger will not have to worry so much about the cut now which means he can focus on moving into position.

It was a big shot and and a big putt for him. This is not a tiger love in but rather an appreciation that an eagle on the last has greatly improved his chances.

Do you honestly think the players are looking at the score leading the tournament on day one, all they care about is getting to with a reasonable amount of shots come sunday.

I agree with you... but the way the guy is writing it comes across as 2nd is a good thing.

4 shots off second place is an irrelevance. I challenge anyone to say they have ever played any game with 2nd place in mind.

I'm not a Tiger lover. It seems he prefers girls. Maybe you have a chance JohnnyO? :love:

LJ

He did not say tiger had second place in mind, just that it showed he was still in touch.

pedro wrote:I'm not a Tiger lover. It seems he prefers girls. Maybe you have a chance JohnnyO? :love:

Unlikely. I'm a bit hairy I would imagine.

McLaren wrote:LJ

He did not say tiger had second place in mind, just that it showed he was still in touch.

Mac. If you wanted to show someone was still in touch why would you demonstrate that with a reference to how many shots behind second place you are?