19-11-2015, 16:40
DP World Tour Championship, Dubai
What a brilliant and compelling opening day even if our players performed pretty averagely.
The R2D adds an additional element to this tournament and the head to head between McIlroy & Willett was enthralling as they traded blow for blow. McIlroy chipped in at the final hole to nick a birdie when a bogey looked likely to keep them tied with each other.
Kaymer, Fraser, Poulter & Sullivan lead the way on six under but there are still over half the field in contention and invariably it is a top player who wins here. Sullivan has won three times this season & I think he has a great chance here. Branden Grace was probably the most impressive player today until he fell away over the closing holes. Stensen is out of it after throwing away five shots in three holes from the 15th.
Henrik Stenson 13/2 +5 Tied 58th
Victor Dubuisson 25/1 Level Tied 40th
Thomas Pieters 66/1 -3 Tied 14th
Kristoffer Broberg 80/1 -2 Tied 23rd
Rory McIlroy (Top Five) 11/10 -4 Tied 6th
Broberg was four under after seven but picked up an injury which hampered him badly and I suspect his chance has gone. We are pretty much in Pieters' hands plus our big bet on Rory for a Top Five finish.
What a brilliant and compelling opening day even if our players performed pretty averagely.
The R2D adds an additional element to this tournament and the head to head between McIlroy & Willett was enthralling as they traded blow for blow. McIlroy chipped in at the final hole to nick a birdie when a bogey looked likely to keep them tied with each other.
Kaymer, Fraser, Poulter & Sullivan lead the way on six under but there are still over half the field in contention and invariably it is a top player who wins here. Sullivan has won three times this season & I think he has a great chance here. Branden Grace was probably the most impressive player today until he fell away over the closing holes. Stensen is out of it after throwing away five shots in three holes from the 15th.
Henrik Stenson 13/2 +5 Tied 58th
Victor Dubuisson 25/1 Level Tied 40th
Thomas Pieters 66/1 -3 Tied 14th
Kristoffer Broberg 80/1 -2 Tied 23rd
Rory McIlroy (Top Five) 11/10 -4 Tied 6th
Broberg was four under after seven but picked up an injury which hampered him badly and I suspect his chance has gone. We are pretty much in Pieters' hands plus our big bet on Rory for a Top Five finish.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.