Golf Betting Tips: Abu Dhabi Championship and American Express predictions

January 20, 2021

Golf fans are in for a double treat when the Abu Dhabi Championship and American Express tee off in the UAE and California later this week, and below we’ve got some prime tournament betting tips from Steve Palmer to get you in the mood for the action.

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Abu Dhabi Championship predictions and tips

Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas dominate the betting for this week’s Abu Dhabi Championship and the superstar duo have been paired together for the opening two rounds.

The favourites have been handed an excellent draw, with Thursday morning looking like the only period over the first two days when calm weather can be expected, so plenty of punters will be trusting these class acts to perform well in the United Arab Emirates.

There are reasons for swerving both, though, and opting for bigger prices about alternatives. McIlroy has a superb record at the track and has finished runner-up four times, but he has not competed since the Masters in the middle of November and will not appreciate the forecast for a windy Friday and a breezy weekend.

Thomas is making his Abu Dhabi debut, so may need time to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, and the American raider is still under fire for controversial comments he made in the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Abu Dhabi Championship course guide and where to watch

Course: Abu Dhabi Golf Club in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Par: 72

Field: 132 players

Abu Dhabi Championship winner prediction: Tyrrell Hatton @12/1

Preference at double the odds of the market leaders is for Tyrrell Hatton, who has established himself in the golfing elite after a series of magnificent efforts last year, moving up to ninth in the world rankings.

Hatton won the Arnold Palmer Invitational for a PGA Tour breakthrough in March, then romped to a four-shot success in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in October.

The Englishman has shown a liking for Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the past, taking a one-shot lead into the final round in 2017.

He was not ready to convert that chance four years ago, but is a much more confident character these days, and his short-game brilliance could prove decisive this week.

Abu Dhabi Championship winner prediction: Tom Lewis @66/1

An alternative at bigger odds is Tom Lewis, who has a strong desert record and has proven himself in the wind, which is set to blow all week.

American Express predictions and tips

Patrick Cantlay took over as American Express favourite after Jon Rahm withdrew from the tournament on Monday night, but Cantlay was disappointing down the stretch when in with a winning chance in the Sentry Tournament of Champions last time out and is difficult to get excited about at the odds.

The Californian won the last tournament he played in his home state – the Zozo Championship at the end of October – but the value probably lies elsewhere.

Scottie Scheffler is still a PGA Tour maiden who has tightened up when chances to shed that tag have presented themselves, while Patrick Reed withdrew from the Sony Open line-up last week complaining of shin splints and foot blisters, so punters are advised to go deeper in the betting.

American Express course guide and where to watch

Course: TPC Stadium Course at PGA West, Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West, La Quinta, California

Par: Both 72

Field: 156 players

American Express winner prediction: Abraham Ancer @25/1

Abraham Ancer could be the answer to the puzzle, given he played superbly 12 months ago on the courses being used. The Mexican fired rounds of 66 and 63 on the Stadium Course at PGA West, which is hosting three of the four rounds of this year’s event, and he finished American Express runner-up to Andrew Landry.

Ancer has shown plenty of courage under pressure, finishing an unlucky runner-up three times on the PGA Tour, narrowly beaten by inspired opponents. He has won the Australian Open and looks ready to become a PGA Tour champion.

The Texas-based swinger showed his mettle in the 2019 Presidents Cup, ending up as joint top-scorer at Royal Melbourne, and Tour victories seem almost inevitable.

American Express winner prediction: Si Woo Kim @55/1

An alternative at a bigger price is Si Woo Kim, who won the 2017 Players Championship at Sawgrass by three shots.

The Stadium Course at PGA West was designed by Pete Dye – the same man who created Sawgrass – and there are great similarities between the two layouts. Kim played well in the Sony Open over the weekend.