2026 Dubai Invitational: Preview and three betting tips
Tue, 13 Jan 2026
Tue, 13 Jan 2026
Odds Now’s golf tipster Ross Kilvington returns to the teebox this week, first to preview the DP World Tour's Dubai Invitational. As always, Ross runs the rule over the event and offers up three betting tips.
Following a short break, the DP World Tour returns this week with the second hosting of the Dubai Invitational.
Tommy Fleetwood won the inaugural edition in 2024 by a single stroke over the duo of Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence.
This event wasn’t actually on the schedule last year but it opens up 2026, with 60 professionals in the field alongside 60 promising amateurs.
Dubai Creek Golf Club is the venue and the par-71 course has held a few tournaments on the European and Asian Tours previously.
Water comes into play throughout this track, although the course is not overly difficult. Fleetwood won with a score of -19 two years ago, so birdies should be in ample supply.
The Englishman tops the betting market alongside his Ryder Cup teammate McIlroy but there is plenty of value to be found ahead elsewhere of the first tournament of 2026.
Here, I'll take a closer look at three selections who I fancy to show up well in Dubai this week.
David Puig has been simmering nicely of late and there is no doubt in the minds of most golf fans that he can become the next big star of Spanish golf.
The 24-year-old finished last season with a victory, claiming the BMW Australian PGA Championship by two strokes. And while the field might not have been the strongest, you couldn't help but be impressed by the manner in which he did it – shooting rounds of 68, 67, 65 and 66 to seal an emphatic win.
This came after a consistent year where Puig finished in the top six in four LIV Golf events, while also recording a ninth at the Open de Espana back in October.
The Spaniard does enjoy playing in the Middle East, as he finished third at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and fourth at the Bahrain Championship a week later to kick off his 2025 12 months ago.
Puig is destined for the very top and a strong week here could well prove the catalyst for a season to remember for the 24-year-old.
Matt Wallace enjoyed yet another steady season in 2025, but sadly it wasn’t enough to see him make the European Ryder Cup team.
Representing Europe is clearly something he hopes to achieve before the end of his career and a big 2026 could help put the building blocks in place ahead of the 2027 edition, where he will surely be a live contender for a call-up once again.
The Englishman finished second at the European Masters last term, coming a month after a T3 result at the 3M Open on the PGA Tour.
He didn’t quite end the year as well as hoped, but Wallace will surely have benefitted for some time to refocus and get back to his brilliant best.
The 35-year-old has played well in this part of the world during his career, sealing a runners-up finish at the 2019 Dubai Desert Classic and at the DP World Tour Championship in 2023.
Indeed, he has missed just four cuts in events staged in the Middle East, which should give him plenty of confidence heading into this tournament.
Ewen Ferguson played at the inaugural edition of this event and record an impresive T11 finish – evident that he feels comfortable on this course.
The Scot won the Qatar Masters in March 2022 in what was his first DPWT victory. In his last start at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Ferguson finished T10 and he might have challenged for the title if it weren’t for a final day 72.
He ranked second in South Africa for Greens in Regulation (80.56%) and if he can replicate that sort of performance here, there's no doubt he will challenge.
Last year, he ranked eighth for driving accuracy (66.06%) on the DPWT and this is another statistic would could stand him in good stead in Dubai this week.
At 60/1, the Scot looks excellent value for an each-way place – no doubt about that.
1pt EW - David Puig - 22/1 (AK Bets - 1/5 odds 5 places)
0.75pt EW - Matt Wallace - 35/1 (AK Bets - 1/5 odds 5 places)
0.5pt EW - Ewan Ferguson - 60/1 (LiveScore Bet - 1/5 odds 5 places)
Total staked - 4.5pts
Ross Kilvington is Odds Now's chief golf tipster, covering events from the PGA and DP World Tour across the season.
Ahead of every major event, you can check out Ross' betting card and detailed explanations for his three weekly picks, where he has unearthed several winners in 2025 alone.
Based in Scotland, Ross also freelances for a number of other sports publications.
Ross Kilvington is Odds Now's chief golf tipster, covering events from the PGA and DP World Tour across the season.
Ahead of every major event, you can check out Ross' betting card and detailed explanations for his three weekly picks, where he has unearthed several winners in 2025 alone.
Based in Scotland, Ross also freelances for a number of other sports publications.
Ross's p/l
7 Days
30 Days
Year 2026
David Puig is a DP World Tour winner 🏆 The Spaniard claimed a maiden Tour title at the opening event of the 2026 season, winning by two-shots at Royal Queensland.
