The Dubai Desert Classic Predictions - Top contenders for victory in Dubai
<br>
- The Hero Dubai Desert Classic takes place between 22-25 January
- The tournament takes place at the Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
- Viktor Hovland, David Puig, Jayden Schaper, and Wenyi Ding are key contenders.
Viktor Hovland won the Dubai Desert Classic in 2022 (Getty Images)
The DP World Tour is back at the Emirates Golf Club, where a host of the world's best players gather for the latest edition of the Dubai Desert Classic. Who will be crowned champion at the first Rolex Series event of the year?
Tyrrell Hatton is back to defend his title after a one-stroke victory over Daniel Hillier in 2025.
Past Major winners that will tee off on Thursday include Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Padraig Harrington, Francesco Molinari, Shane Lowry, Dustin Johnson, and Danny Willett.
These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend.
Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland has been in solid form on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour in recent outings, placing T7 at the BMW Championship, 12th at the Tour Championship, T5 at the BMW PGA Championship, T6 at the DP World India Championship, and T23 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Other prominent performances achieved by Hovland last season include a T22 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a victory at the Valspar Championship, a T21 at the Masters, a T13 at the RBC Heritage, a T25 at the Memorial Tournament, a 3rd at the U.S. Open, and a T11 at the Genesis Scottish Open.
The seven-time PGA Tour winner has an excellent record at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, finishing T23 in 2020 and winning in 2022 before missing the cut in 2025.
Hovland has been showing positive signs that he is ready to win another tournament.
David Puig
David Puig has been in great touch in his last six starts, placing T9 at the Open de Espana, T14 at the Link Hong Kong Open, T16 at the PIF Saudi International, victory at the BMW Australian PGA Championship, MC at the Crown Australian Open, and T3 at the Dubai Invitational last weekend.
Other noteworthy results achieved by Puig on the DP World Tour and LIV Golf Tour last season include a 3rd at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, a T4 at the Bahrain Championship, a T6 in Riyadh, a 4th in Adelaide, a T18 in Hong Kong, a 4th in Singapore, a T14 in Miami, a T13 in Hong Kong, T13 in Dallas, a T11 at the BMW International Open, a T19 in Andalucia, a T18 in the United Kingdom, a T17 in Chicago, and a T4 in Indianapolis.
The Spaniard will make his debut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this weekend.
Puig has come good in recent months and can go all the way at the Emirates Golf Club this weekend.
Jayden Schaper
Jayden Schaper has been in superb form on the DP World Tour in the last four months, placing T5 at the Open de Espana, T6 at the DP World India Championship, T23 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, T20 at the DP World Tour Championship, T2 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, victory at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, and T20 at the Dubai Invitational last weekend.
Other notable results achieved by Schaper in 2025 include a T21 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a T5 at the Qatar Masters, a 4th at the Magical Kenya Open, a T16 at the South African Open Championship, a T9 at the Joburg Open, a T5 at the Austrian Alpine Open, a 3rd at the KLM Open, a T10 at the Italian Open, and a 9th at the FedEx Open de France.
The two-time DP World Tour winner has made two appearances at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, finishing T38 in 2024 and T21 in 2025.
Schaper has been on top of his game lately and can emerge victorious in Dubai this weekend.
Wenyi Ding
Wenyi Ding has been performing well on the Asian Tour and DP World Tour lately, placing 3rd at the SJM Macao Open, T6 at the Link Hong Kong Open, 2nd at the BMW Australian PGA Championship, T18 at the Crown Australian Open, and 19th at the Dubai Invitational last weekend.
Additional highlights achieved by Wenyi Ding in 2025 include a T20 at the Magical Kenya Open, a T14 at the Joburg Open, a T14 at the Porsche Singapore Classic, a T8 at the Volvo China Open, a T12 at the Turkish Airlines Open, and a T24 at the Danish Golf Championship.
The 21-year-old will debut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this weekend.
Wenyi Ding could cause an upset, as he comes into this DP World Tour event in solid form.
Verdict
Hovland plays well at the Emirates Golf Club and has the form to win the tournament for the second time this weekend.
Puig is holding form after his recent victory and can pocket the winner's cheque come Sunday.
Schaper has been impressive lately and can secure the victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Ding has done nothing wrong lately and can make the frame in Dubai.
Puig is holding form after his recent victory and can pocket the winner's cheque come Sunday.
Schaper has been impressive lately and can secure the victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Ding has done nothing wrong lately and can make the frame in Dubai.
Viktor Hovland
Each-Way
$15.00 - 1 Unit
Deposit R3,000 Get R3,000
100% bonus up to R3,000
Your first deposit at 10bet should be of at least R20. Get 100% up to R3,000 Bonus to bet on sports or games. New customers only. 18+ T&Cs and wagering requirements apply. To activate the bonus, select it from the cashier.
David Puig
Each-Way
$19.00 - 1 Unit
Get 150% up to R15,000
use promo code BETS
18+. T&Cs apply.
Jayden Schaper
Each-Way
$21.00 - 1 Unit
Bet R3000 Get R3000
with promocode NEWBONUS
18+. T&Cs apply.
Wenyi Ding
Each-Way
$67.00 - 1 Unit
R20,000 Bonus (100%)
use promo code NEWBONUS
18+ only. T&Cs apply. Winners know when to stop.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
20 January 2026
- Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers -
- Cricket
- Kaizer Chiefs vs Golden Arrows -
- Soccer
- Sekhukhune United vs Stellenbosch -
- Soccer
- English Championship -
- Soccer
- UEFA Champions League -
- Soccer
21 January 2026
- Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars -
- Cricket
24 January 2026
- English Premier League -
- Soccer
Load More
