Lee Westwood says Dubai Desert Classic is expected to see another surprise winner this year - Golf News
The world number three professional golfer, Lee Westwood, said that the 23rd edition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is expected to see an unexpected winner this year, as the European Tour is witnessing wildcard champions this year so far.
Westwood was talking about the initial five tournaments that were played on the European Tour schedule.
Robert Rock, Paul Lawrie and Branden Grace made the headlines when they won the events, whereas they were nowhere in the winning favourites lists.
“I think it shows the strength in depth of the European Tour. We are very strong right now. Like Robert [Rock] has always looked a good player. It is just a case of knuckling down and putting his mind to it, it seems with him,” the 38-year-old Englishman
said.
"He is obviously got a very good game. And he seems like the kind of player that, once he gets the knack of winning will win quite a bit, and he seems pretty fearless playing in the company that is around him as there was in Abu Dhabi,” he added.
He went on to say that there are few players such as Alvaro Quiros and Rory McIlroy who have a good past record in the desert.
Whenever they enter the field in Dubai, they have something remarkable to offer on the course.
Quiros succeeded a few times in registering a win in Dubai. McIlroy also earned his first ever victory on the European Tour at the same venue, when he won the 2009 edition of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Therefore, such players can also be among the favourites to win the tournament this year.
While talking about his own form and performance in the recent tournaments, he said that he is improving as compared to his last year’s performances.
He stood 17th and 12th in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Qatar Masters, respectively.
Most of the times in United Arab Emirates, he missed the cut or found a place in the 50’s and 60’s on the leaderboad.
However, this year, his performance was much better in the tournaments held in UAE. Therefore, he is confident to display a good game on the course and cheer up his fans.
Tags: