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Dubai Desert Classic Preview & Tips - Top contenders for victory in Dubai

brad-newcomb
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Last updated: 15 Jan 2025
Brad Newcomb 15 Jan 2025
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  • The Hero Dubai Desert Classic takes place between 16-19 January
  • The tournament takes place at the Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
  • Rory McIlroy is the defending champion and one of 4 selections
  • Tommy Fleetwood, Adam Scott and Patrick Reed also backed
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rory mcilroy
Rory McIlroy is bidding for a hat-trick in Dubai (Getty Images)

The DP World Tour and a field of the world's best golfers return to the Emirates Golf Club for the latest edition of the Dubai Desert Classic. Who will lift the winning trophy at the first Rolex Series event of the year?

Rory McIlroy is back to defend his title after a one-stroke victory over Adrian Meronk in 2024 and will attempt to win the tournament for a record fifth time. 

Past major winners that will tee off on Thursday include Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, Adam Scott, Padraig Harrington and Jimmy Walker. 

These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend. 

Rory Mcllroy


Rory McIlroy has been in fine form on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour since the end of August, placing T11 at the BMW Championship, T9 at the Tour Championship, 2nd at the Amgen Irish Open, T2 at the BMW PGA Championship, T25 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, T3 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and victory at the DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy's other noteworthy results from last season include finishing 3rd at the Valero Texas Open, winning at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, winning at the Wells Fargo Championship, T12 at the PGA Championship, T4 at the RBC Canadian Open, 2nd at the U.S. Open, T4 at the Genesis Scottish Open and T5 at the Paris Olympics. 

The four-time Major champion has been in superb form in his last 11 starts at Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with results of victory in 2009, 2015, 2023 and 2024 as well as T6 in 2010, T10 in 2011, T5 in 2012, T9 in 2014, T6 in 2016, 2nd in 2018 and 3rd in 2022. 

McIlroy has made this tournament and can win at the Emirates Golf Club for the third time on the trot come Sunday. 

Tommy Fleetwood


Tommy Fleetwood has been in excellent form on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour lately, placing 2nd at the Paris Olympics, T22 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, T5 at the BMW Championship, 20th at the Tour Championship and T12 at the BMW PGA Championship. 

He was also T3 at the Open de France, 3rd at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, T6 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and T16 at the DP World Tour Championship. 

Fleetwood's other achievements on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour this season include victory at the Dubai Invitational and finishing T10 at the Genesis Invitational, T7 at the Valero Texas Open, T3 at the Masters, T13 at the Wells Fargo Championship, T21 at the RBC Canadian Open, T20 at the Memorial Tournament, T16 at the U.S. Open and 15th at the Travelers Championship. 

The 33-year-old has compiled a solid record at the Dubai Desert Classic in his last seven appearances, placing T6 in 2018, T16 in 2019, T11 in 2020, T77 in 2021, T12 in 2022, T59 in 2023 and T14 in 2024. 

Fleetwood has featured consistently high on the leaderboards lately and can emerge as the winner in Dubai this weekend. 

Adam Scott


Adam Scott was in great shape during the latter half of 2024, placing 2nd at the Genesis Scottish Open, T10 at the Open Championship, T18 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, T2 at the BMW Championship and T4 at the Tour Championship.

Scott could not maintain that level of play in his subsequent two starts, finishing T57 at the BMW PGA Championship and missing the cut at the Japan Open Golf Championship before placing T3 at the DP World Tour Championship and T15 at the Senty on the PGA Tour. 

Other noteworthy results achieved by Scott last season include finishing T20 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T8 at the WM Phoenix Open, T19 at the Genesis Invitational, T14 at the Valero Texas Open, T22 at the Masters and T12 at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

The eight-time DP World Tour winner has featured twice at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, finishing T9 in 2022 and T7 in 2024.  

Scott plays well at the Emirates Golf Club and has the form to win the tournament this weekend. 

Patrick Reed


Patrick Reed has come good lately, placing T10 at the Open de Espana, T35 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, victory at the LINK Hong Kong Open, T13 at the International Series in Oman and T17 at the PIF Saudi International.

Other prominent performances achieved by Reed on the LIV Golf Tour, DP World Tour, and Asian Tour last year include finishing 4th at the International Series in Oman, T9 in Miami, T12 at the Masters, T3 in Houston, T14 in Singapore, T13 at the BMW International Open, T4 in Andalucia and T15 in Greenbrier.   

The American golfer placed second at the 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic on debut. 

Reed has been holding form since his recent victory and should enter calculations. 

Verdict

McIlroy has claims for the title as he has a proven track record at the Emirates Golf Club.
 
Fleetwood has the form to pocket the winner's cheque in Dubai this weekend.
 
Scott has threatened to return to winning ways lately and will be challenging for victory at the Dubai Desert Classic come Sunday.
 
Reed could cause an upset, as he comes into this DP World Tour event in decent nick.

Best Bet1: Rory McIlroy To Win @15/4 at 10bet - 2 Units
Best Bet2: Tommy Fleetwood Each-Way @11/1 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Adam Scott Each-Way @25/1 at Boylesports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Patrick Reed Each-Way @45/1 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Rory McIlroy
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Patrick Reed
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