European Tour’s Best End Season in Dubai

Martin Kaymer and the rest of the best on the European Tour will battle it out for one last title at the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.

Kaymer held onto the top spot on the Tour Order of Merit since his victory at the PGA Championship in August and he’ll fight to hang to #1 this week.  It’ll be a heck of a fight with the best of the Euro Circuit in Dubai, but if Kaymer can find the form he showed in August and September he stands a great chance of escaping with an Order of Merit title.

However, he won’t be number one with the bookmakers when he tees off Thursday.  The books have world number one Lee Westwood at (6-1) while Kaymer will go off at (12-1).

Westwood, understandably, is the logical favourite.  However, this year, like the entirety of Westwood’s career, he’s been less than clutch when it comes to closing out tournaments.  The Westwood Meltdown rears its ugly head so often it’s easy to bet against the Englishman and for good reason.

Westwood doesn’t have a single victory on the European Tour this season despite a myriad of opportunities to seal the deal.  In 13 events, the man from Worksop, England has 5 top-3 finishes yet top spot continues to elude him.

Standing with Kaymer at (12-1) is Rory McIlroy who last week couldn’t overcome a red hot Ian Poulter in Hong Kong.  Regardless, McIlroy has been knocking on the door of late and has as good a chance as any of being alone at the top on Sunday.

The 21-year old finished 6th last week following a 5th place finish at the HSBC Champions and, unlike Westwood, he hasn’t proven to have a systemic problem of failing to close the deal.  After all, he’s 21 and hasn’t exactly had a decade long track record of wasting opportunities.

Other notables.  Ian Poulter certainly has a serious shot at victory after his clinical performance in Hong Kong and the bookies are certainly keeping their eye on him as he tees off at (14-1).

Ernie Els hasn’t got a lot of fanfare on the European Tour of late, but he’s put together another solid year.  Currently at (16-1), Els rode high world golf and major championship finishes to come to Dubai with just under 2-million Euros in earnings.

I'm the best. I just haven't played yet   - Muhammad Ali, on his golf game