Dubai Desert Classic 2026 Golf betting preview: odds, predictions and tips

The DP World Tour stays in Dubai as the Middle East Swing continues.

Dubai Desert Classic 2026 odds

• Rory McIlroy 10/3
• Tommy Fleetwood 13/2
• Tyrrell Hatton 12/1
• David Puig 16/1
• Viktor Hovland 18/1
• Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen 20/1
• Shane Lowry 20/1
• Angel Ayora 25/1
• Jayden Schaper 25/1
• Thorbjorn Olesen 25/1

Odds with bet365 .

Quick tips for the Dubai Desert Classic 2026 Golf

• Olesen – each-way 25/1 with Betfair (1/4 Odds, 5 Places)
• Puig to outscore Lowry – 5/6 with bet365
• McKibbin for Top 10 – 11/4 with Betfred

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Dubai Desert Classic 2026 Golf betting preview

It’s hard to imagine that the Middle East used not to be a part of the DP World Tour schedule.

That all changed in 1989 when this event became the trailblazer and in 2026 there will be six events staged in the Arabian Peninsula. 

Former Ryder Cup captain Mark James won the inaugural edition of the Dubai Desert Classic 37 years ago while four of the next six were won by legends: Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Fred Couples and Colin Montgomerie.

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Rory McIlroy has continued the tradition of world-class winners and this was the scene of his first DP World Tour victory in 2009.

The Northern Irishman now has his name on the trophy four times after further victories in 2015, 2023 and 2024 and he returns this week looking to make it five.

He has strong opposition in the form of World No.3 Tommy Fleetwood as well as two other winners of this tournament – Viktor Hovland (2022) and defending champ Tyrrell Hatton.

Dubai Desert Classic 2026 Golf betting tips

Thorbjorn Olesen an alternative to Rory McIlroy

It’s very hard to look beyond Rory McIlroy here given that he’s made the top 10 his last 12 starts in the event. 

He’s actually finished top five in each of the last five and warmed up with a third place in last week’s Dubai Invitational.

But while striking gold again is fairly likely, McIlroy does have a habit of finishing elsewhere on the podium in these Middle East events.

So a better value play is an each-way punt on Thorbjorn Olesen at 25/1 with Betfair (1/4 odds, five places).

The Dane warmed up nicely with seventh in last week’s Dubai Invitational and he has finishes here of third, fifth, seven and eighth.

Olesen is now a Dubai resident and won the neighbouring Ras Al Khaimah Championship at the start of 2024.

With ‘home’ advantage and the benefit of a good run last week, the former Ryder Cup star can challenge for a ninth DP World Tour win on Sunday. 

Back him each-way at 25/1 with Betfair (1/4 odds, 5 places)

David Puig to outscore Shane Lowry

For a 72-hole match bet, I’ll take David Puig to beat Shane Lowry at 5/6 with bet365.

Lowry must still be fuming after having one hand on the trophy last week before making double bogey at the final hole and losing out to Nacho Elvira.

It’ll be hard to shake that off so soon and, in addition, Lowry has a rather patchy record in this event anyway.

He’s missed the cut four times in nine appearances and never had a top 10.

Puig is a man in form.

The 24-year-old Spaniard, who now plays on LIV, won the Australian PGA Championship at the end of November and he closed with a 67 to finish alongside Lowry in last week’s Dubai event.

He’s made the top three in both his starts in the UAE and can thrive again. 

Back David Puig to outscore Shane Lowry at 5/6 with bet365

Tom McKibbin for Top 10

Tom McKibbin won the Hong Kong Open at the start of November and has reeled off three more top 20s since.

The Northern Irishman has improved his finish in this event each year, missing the cut on debut, posting 14th in 2024 and carding a 70 and three 69s when sixth last year.

McKibbin shot lower in each round at last week’s Dubai Invitational so back him for a top 10 here at 11/4 with Betfred.

Back Tom McKibbin for a Top 10 finish at 11/4 with Betfred

How to watch theDubai Desert Classic 2026

• Venue – Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE
• Date – Thursday 22nd January – Sunday 25th January
• Broadcast – Full coverage on Sky Sports Golf: Thursday-Friday 4 am – 1.30 pm, Saturday-Sunday 4 am – 1 pm.

About the author

Matt Cooper

Matt Cooper has been a golf journalist for 15 years. He’s worked for, among others, Golf365, SkySports, ESPN, NBC, Sporting Life, Open.com and the Guardian. He specialises in feature writing, reporting and tournament analysis. He’s covered numerous Opens, Ryder Cups and Solheim Cups, and travelled to golfing destinations as varied as Kazakhstan, South Korea, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Find Matt on Twitter @MattCooperGolf

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