By Mathieu Wood
As the Hero Dubai Desert Classic marks the first Rolex Series event of the season on the DP World Tour, leading golf analysts make some predictions for the year ahead.
Who will win the Race to Dubai?
David Howell: Rory McIlroy. It’s almost impossible to look past Rory winning again. I say that for a couple of reasons, he is the best player but also because he plays quite a lot on our Tour. If he played three or four events then you might think that would be a struggle because we have so much fine talent on this Tour, however he showed real intent to overtake Colin Montgomerie’s record haul of eight Race to Dubai titles. He has made it a real goal that he would be distinctly proud of and that makes it all the more likely that he will go ahead and win this year and move a step closer. I think it is a goal that has dawned on him over time as his career has progressed.
Jamie Spence: McIlroy. A six-time Race to Dubai winner and he will probably make it number seven this year. To win you have to perform in the “big” ones and he’s the man. Surely a fifth Major is beckoning as well.
Anthony Wall: McIlroy. Put simply, he is too good.
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Who will be the breakout star?
Spence: Angel Ayora. The young Spanish graduate out of the Challenge Tour looks the part in every facet of the game. Effortless power, a wonderful touch on and around the greens and a wise head on young shoulders. He has a great team around him as well. The next Spanish superstar?
Wall: Ayora. He is older than his years.
Howell: Ayora. I have just been hearing so many great things about him since he has come out onto Tour. He has started so well. All my colleagues who have seen him a little more than I have since I last saw him at the end of 2023 in Australia say he looks like an absolute world beater. He could well be this year’s Rookie of the Year, like Jesper Svensson was last year.
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Which dual member has the best chance to win on the PGA TOUR?
Spence: Thriston Lawrence. A four-time winner on the DP World Tour, he looks primed to make the next step and win in America. Long enough off the tee, very consistent tee to green and a terrific putter. He has all the tools to succeed across the pond. Mr Unflappable.
Wall: Lawrence. Of the ten who got their card at the end of last season, he is an experienced player on the global stage.
Howell: Rasmus Højgaard. I would firmly expect Rasmus to have a sensational year. I am going to be very interested to see how Jesper Svensson does. He has gone out there and appears to really be committing himself to it, much like Matthieu Pavon did last year. He wants to make a success of it, has played already last week so I do think he might be the one that surprises everyone. I do think we will get a winner again. Matthieu Pavon and Robert MacIntyre both did it last year. As to who specifically, if I had to pick one, I would go with Rasmus. I think at the moment he is the best of that bunch. I think he is in a slightly better trend than the rest.
Who may emerge as a first-time Major winner?
Howell: Robert MacIntyre at Royal Portrush - that is something I could absolutely see happening. He won’t have the burden of trying to win the Scottish Open the week before. A feisty competitor, he looks made for The Open conditions.
Spence: Tommy Fleetwood. He’s a fantastic player and a top bloke. He would easily be the most popular winner of the year and fingers crossed he will lift the Claret Jug in July.
Wall: Fleetwood. His first PGA TOUR win will probably be a Major. It's a strange game like that.
Who will win the Ryder Cup?
Howell: Team Europe can go ahead and win at Bethpage. The preparation is going to be nothing short of sensational. I am so impressed with how our Captain and his backroom team are trying to prepare everyone for the upcoming test. So many of our players will be plying their trade regularly on the PGA TOUR and will be accustomed to American crowds and the company of American players so I think we have got a great chance.
Spence: Team Europe. With Luke Donald at the helm and a multi-talented team this will be a cracker at Bethpage Black. The New York gallery will make it incredibly tough, but the boys can do it. It'll be right to the wire this one, but backing Europe for the win - just!
Wall: Team Europe. Why? Their togetherness.
