After an exciting week of action, the DP World Tour steps up in class with its first marquee event of the season, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The tournament tees off on Thursday at the iconic Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, a venue that has become synonymous with elite European Tour golf. Below, we assess the week from a betting perspective and highlight a few suggested plays.
Course
The Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club hosts the Dubai Desert Classic once again. A par 72 measuring just over 7,400 yards (6,792 metres) from the championship tees, the course is a classic desert layout that generally favours players who are comfortable taking on long carries and attacking from the tee.
The fairways are relatively generous by DP World Tour standards, and with little rough in play, longer hitters often gain a clear advantage, particularly when conditions are calm. That said, the course is far from a simple power test. Water hazards come into play on six holes, most notably on the closing stretch, where nerves and decision-making are tested under pressure.
The greens are large and well-contoured, placing emphasis on distance control with irons and strong lag putting. When firm and fast, they reward players who can flight their approach shots precisely and leave themselves makeable birdie chances. Wind can also be a factor, especially in the afternoons, adding an extra layer of strategy to club selection and trajectory control.
In summary: The Majlis Course typically suits confident drivers who can combine power with control, strong iron players who attack pins from the fairway, and putters who can handle quick, undulating greens. Scoring is often good, but mistakes are punished quickly, particularly around water on the back nine.
Past Winners
2025 Tyrrell Hatton (England) -15 1 stroke
2024 Rory McIlroy (Northen Ireland) -14 1 stroke
2023 Rory McIlroy (Northen Ireland) -19 1 stroke
2022 Victor Hovland (Norway) -12 Playoff
2021 Paul Casey (England) -17 4 strokes
Betting (Hero Dubai Desert Classic) – Click here to bet
Rory McIlroy 4.50
Tommy Fleetwood 9.00
Tyrrell Hatton 17.00
Viktor Hovland 19.00
David Puig 19.00
Shane Lowry 21.00
Golf Playoff
Bets must be placed before the start of round 1.
Pre-Match Bets only.
Single / Straight bets only.
Free Bets do not qualify for this offer.
Refund must be claimed within 24 hours of the tournament finishing.
Free Bet vouchers received must be used within 7 days.
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Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘Golf Playoff’ to claim your refund within 24 hours of the tournament finishing.
SELECTIONS:
Rory McIlroy at 4.50
McIlroy has a remarkable record at the Dubai Desert Classic. In his last five starts at the tournament, he has finished inside the top five every single time. He has also won the event four times in his career, with his most recent victory coming in 2024, and he followed that up with a fourth-place finish last year. McIlroy is also coming off the back of a third-place finish, so with that momentum combined with his outstanding history at this tournament, I think he will be right in the thick of things come the back 9 on Sunday.
Rory McIlroy win only at 4.50.
Shane Lowry at 21.00
Lowry made a solid start to his 2026 campaign with a third-place finish at the Dubai Invitational, where he was in contention throughout the week. He also closed out a consistent 2025 season, regularly featuring on leaderboards in strong fields.
If he can carry that momentum into this week, his all-round game and experience in desert conditions make him a serious threat. A strong iron week could see him firmly in the mix on Sunday.
Shane Lowry each way at 21.00.
Jayden Schaper at 26.00
Schaper’s remarkable start to the new season stalled slightly last time out, with a 20th-place finish. While still a respectable result, it fell short of the extremely high standard he set with his earlier performances.
However, we have already seen his ability to respond positively to setbacks this season, having finished runner-up before going on to win his next two starts. If he produces a similar bounce-back this week, he could be set to claim the first truly big title of his career.
Jayden Schaper each way at 26.00
Click here for all Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 Markets
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
