The Race to Dubai is a US$10m season-long competition for the world’s leading golfers, culminating in the world’s richest golf tournament, the catchily-named Dubai World Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, UAE.
Sporting Index is running a season-long spread that is great for us golf followers!
Players are ranked according to their earnings from European Tour tournaments, the Major Championships and the World Golf Championships (WGC’s).
Every week we will update the spreads and standings, give you the information on the latest qualifying tournament and tell you the players to watch!
Week: 14 (26 Feb -1 Mar)
Tournament: Indonesian Open, Kuta GC, Bali. Indonesia.
Players To Watch: Alexander Noren, Simon Dyson, Danny Willett.
Player |
Race To Dubai Position |
World Ranking |
Prize Money (€) approx. |
Sporting Index Spread |
S Garcia |
1 |
|
|
|
R. McIlroy |
2 |
|
|
|
H. Stenson |
4 |
|
|
|
R. Karlsson |
21 |
|
|
|
L. Westwood |
39 |
|
|
|
P. Harrington |
28 |
|
|
|
M. Kaymer |
11 |
|
|
|
P. Casey |
8 |
|
|
|
E. Els |
54 |
|
|
|
A. Quiros |
5 |
|
|
|
S. Hansen |
57 |
|
|
|
R. Fisher |
52 |
|
|
|
R. Goosen |
58 |
|
|
|
J. Rose |
16 |
|
|
|
G. McDowell |
24 |
|
|
|
V. Singh |
- |
|
|
|
R. Sterne |
6 |
45 |
429,523 |
1.5-2.5 |
O. Wilson |
3 |
44 |
526,000 |
1.5-2.5 |
A. Kim |
- |
9 |
0 |
3-4.5 |
M. Jimenez |
25 |
21 |
92,845 |
2-3 |
JM. Singh |
26 |
33 |
133,000 |
1-2 |
I. Poulter |
59 |
30 |
59,000 |
1-2 |
A. Scott |
23 |
14 |
147,000 |
1-2 |
*Sporting Index Spread Guide: Winner = 50 pts, Second = 30 pts Third = 20 pts, Fourth = 10 pts
Race To Dubai Update (6th Feb 2009)
Following his maiden tour victory, Rory McIlroy rose significantly in the index from 4-6 to 8-11. The only other noticable risers in the betting were Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey -who finished third and fourth respectively in Dubai.
The whole market appeared to be re-assessed, as everyone dropped a a point or two in the betting. This means that now is a really good time to get involved in the Sporting Index 'Race To Dubai' market.
So who is good value in this market?
Both of the Swedes, Stenson (8-11) and Karlsson (7-9) are in contention every week on the European tour, as is the up and coming Englishman Ross Fisher (2.5-4).
Henrik Stenson has finished in the top eight on the Order of merit for each of the last four years and usually starts the season well. He had 10 top ten finishes last season and was third in the Open.
After a difficult 2007, Robert Karlsson bounced back in style last year -winning the Order of Merit and partnering fellow Swede Stenson to victory in the World Cup.
One of these two guys will finish in the top two of the race to Dubai and both should be good trading options at some point during the season.
Slightly further down the betting is Ross Fisher (2.5-4) who had a fantastic 2008, finishing sixth in the Order of Merit. He won the European Open and easily made the Ryder Cup team. A long-hitter who also has a great touch around the green, Fisher could surprise everyone this year by challenging to become Europe's top earner.
Round 1 Leaderboard 60-40-30-25-20-15-10-5
There often seems to be an advantage for early starters on the first day and with this in mind, we like the look of these players to steal a march on the field and enjoy the lack of wind and unspiked greens:
Chad Campbell (2 - 3), Lee Westwood (4 - 6), Graeme McDowell (2 - 3), Tim Clark (3 - 4.5)
We shall be investing in all these players and hoping that conditions worsen throughout the day.
Result: Westwood (26)
15th Hole Specials (175 - 190) "Baptism Of Fire"
15th hole performance Index Par 5, 530 yards
1pt per birdie, 10 pts per eagle
Last year saw 9 eagles and 135 birdies at this hole-which would have added up to an impressive 225 points.
Although it has been lengthened by 30 yards, such is the increasing distance of the world's top players that it would be no surprise to see at least 15 eagles this time out. The top range of the spread (190) should be breached. Buy
Result: 259
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