The two-week DP World Tour playoffs kick off this week in Abu Dhabi with the Abu Dhabi Championship from Yas Links with stars of the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour and LIV all competing.
Key Stats/Skill Set Required
- Strokes Gained: Around The Green
- Scrambling
- Putting Average
- Strokes Gained: Putting
- Strokes Gained: Off The Tee
Yas Links is very much about what one does around and on the green though form off the tee is a benefit.
Key Correlation Courses/Tournaments
- Scottish Open
- Alfred Dunhill Links
- Open Championship
- Dubai Desert Classic
- Qatar Masters
Tyrell Hatton is an elite player who plays his best in the Middle East or on links. He as nine wins on the DP/PGA Tour and seven of those have been on links (two) or the Middle East (five). He won this event in 2021 and has finished Top 7 in the next three. He profiles very well ranking Top 15 in Scrambling, Putting Average, Stroke Gained: Putting and Strokes Gained: Off The Tee. Looks a great bet.
Matty Fitz is in elite form with Top 8 finishes in seven of his last 10 starts including a T-4 in the Open Championship. He has shown a past liking for Abu Dhabi with Top 3 finishes in two of his last three at Yas Links. He leads the DP World Tour in Strokes Gained: Around The Green while he ranks 3rd in Putting Average and 9th in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Putting is always important but holds a more important role this week. That is great news for Swedish veteran Alex Noren. He leads the Tour in Putting Average and Strokes Gained: Putting. Noren is flying with wins in two of his last three DP World Tour events.
A short-game is essential to success at Yas Links and Patrick Reed is arguably the best short-game exponent in the world. Reed leads the DP World Tour in Scrambling while he ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Around The Green. He finished 10th in the Dubai Desert Classic this year. He is in great form with three Top 20s in his last five starts.
Shaun Norris is a highly underrated South African veteran who has won all over the world. Ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Putting, 6th in Putting Average, 6th in Scrambling and 10th in Strokes Gained: Around The Green. Finished 6th in the Dubai Desert Classic this year, a good guide. He has played here just once and finished T-6.