2013 Joberg Open Preview and Predictions

The European Tour moves on to South Africa this week for the 2013 Joburg Open.  Branden Grace returns to the site of the start of his dream 2012 season.  The event features a weaker field than the Desert Swing events in the Middle East, but still should provide a great viewing experience for fans.

In the Field
The majority of the field is comprised of golfers from South Africa, who will be competing on home soil trying to win an event in their native land.  Branden Grace once again will be in the field and will try to capture the win for a second straight year.

Players to Watch:
Branden Grace: The young South African hopes to defend his title at the Joburg Open.  He has some solid play in the Middle East, but a return to his homeland should spark him to elevate the level of his game.

Peter Uihlein: The young American will hope to jumpstart his professional career here.  He has struggled since turning pro, but his game is still there.  All it will take is for one good week and Uihlein will start to gain confidence on the pro tours.

Tom Lewis: The youngster who dazzled the crowd in the 2009 Open Championship will look to have another strong season.  Lewis captured a title on the European Tour in 2012, so he will look to continue to elevate his game.

Richard Sterne: The South African lead last week's Dubai Desert Classic after two rounds, only to get blitzed on the weekend by the eventual winner.  He will look to avenge his second place finish with a win in his home country.

Kristoffer Broberg: After a so-so start to 2013, the young Swede will look to win his first career European Tour event after 3 wins last season on the Challenge Tour.

The Course
The Joburg Open is played at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club.  The course opened in 1929, and was redesigned in 1998.  Two courses at the club will be used for the tournament, featuring the 7592 yard East Course and the 7237 yard West Course.  The club will provide a stern challenge to all players.

Winner
It is impossible to pick against Branden Grace in this event.  Grace is the top-ranked player in the field, won the tournament last season, and will look to win again in 2013.  He will win by a couple shots this week.

2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Preview and Predictions

The 2013 European Tour ends its Middle Eastern Swing this week at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.  This tournament has been dominated by Spaniards in recent years, and this year might be no different.  Big name players from around the world are flocking to the desert for this tournament that brings great appearance fees for the competitors.

In the Field
Once again, the European Tour boasts a great lineup for one of its early season tournaments.  Players seem to love playing in the desert and traveling with their families to the Middle East.  The Omega Dubai Desert Classic will have great groupings to watch.

Players to Watch
Lee Westwood: Lee Westwood makes his 2013 debut at the Dubai Desert Classic.  The former World #1 player is looking for his first major championship and would love to get his 2013 season jump=started here.  Look for him to come out with solid iron play, and a good putting week will put him near the top of the leaderboard.

Paul Casey: Casey has been recovering from injuries the past couple of seasons and would love nothing more than a victory in 2013.  Once a top-2 player in the world, Casey has struggled recently but is showing signs of improved play.

Chris Wood: The 25-year old Brit is coming off his first career European Tour victory.  Wood is looking to solidify his top-60 world ranking in order to gain entry in the Accenture Match Play Championship and other WGC and Major championships.

Matteo Manassero: The young Italian will be looking to continue his strong play into 2013.  He would love to win his first major this season, and improved driving length may see him contend more and more in big tournaments.

Sergio Garcia: Coming off a T-2 last week, Garcia seems to be in top form.  Once heralded as the next big player, Garcia would love to lose the moniker: "Best player without a major" this season.

Mark O'Meara: The Champions Tour regular and two-time major champion is in the field again this season.  O'Meara enjoys the travel to the Middle East and hopefully will have the game to make it to the weekend.

The Course
The Emirates Golf Club once again hosts the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.  Located in the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates Golf Club measures in at 7300 yards and par-72.  A unique course routing sees one par-5 on the front-9 and three on the back, including the signature 18th hole, a reachable par-5 that plays over water.  Players have the ability to make up strokes on this hole, but also could see their rounds and tournament hopes drown.

Winner
This is one of the more unpredictable tournaments on the European Tour Schedule, as surprise players have won the past couple years.  But with his solid play coming in and the tradition of Spanish golfers here in Dubai, I am going with Sergio Garcia as the winner of the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.   
Lee Westwood will contend, as will Chris Wood who will look to make it two wins in a row.  But Garcia will be able to pull away late in the final round to take the win.

2013 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Preview and Prediction

The 2013 European Tour season continues it's Middle Eastern swing with the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.  Defending champion Paul Lawrie returns to the Doha Golf Club in Qatar with numerous top touring professionals.  The meager purse is supplemented with appearance fees for the top players in the world.

In the Field
Many players who competed last weekend in Abu Dhabi traveled the short distance to Qatar for this tournament.  Three of the world's top-10 players are in the field, as well as 14 of the top-50.  Players from around the world make up this field.

Players to Watch
Justin Rose: Coming off a second place finish in Abu Dhabi, Rose will look to avenge his final-round loss to Jamie Donaldson.  Rose is up to fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking, so he will want to build off that.  His solid play should put him right in position to win.

Jason Dufner: The top-ranked American in the field, Dufner is continuing his play on the European Tour to open 2013.  A solid week last week in Abu Dhabi will give him confidence to go low here.  Dufner is one of the best ball strikers in the world, so a solid putting week will put him near the top of the leaderboard.

Martin Kaymer: A T6 finish in Abu Dhabi will boost the German's confidence.  Kaymer struggled the past couple years with swing changes, but he has gone back to the swing that won him the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

Paul Casey: A solid finish in Abu Dhabi will hopefully springboard Casey to a strong 2013.  Hampered by injuries the past couple seasons, Casey has plummeted in the world rankings.  He will look to regain his form in 2013 and that could start in Qatar.

Thongchai Jaidee: Another strong finish in Abu Dhabi will propel Jaidee to one of his best years on tour.  After winning in 2012, Jaidee will look for more in 2013.

The Course
The Doha Golf Club was built in 1996 and designed by Peter Harradine.  At over 7400 yards, the course will be tough even for the best golfers in the world.  Bermuda grass is planted on the fairways and greens.  Water is in play on numerous holes, and the par-3s are some of the strongest on tour.  Natural rock is featured on the back nine.  If the wind blows, the course will play even longer.

Winner:
Justin Rose will avenge his second place finish last week with a solid week here to win.  Jason Dufner will contend until Rose pulls ahead on the back nine in the final round.  Sergio Garcia will also be in contention throughout the tournament. 

2013 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Preview and Predictions

The European Tour returns from its South African swing with a tournament in Abu Dhabi.  The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship brings together many of the world's top players for their first starts in 2013.  The world's best are enjoying lavish amenities and large appearance bonuses to play at the tournament which begins a group of tournaments on the European Tour in the Middle East.

HSBC is the title sponsor for the event in the Middle East and continues to grow its influence in the world of golf.

The tournament starts January 17th

In The Field
Numerous top-10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking are making their 2013 debut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.  Many former major champions are in the field, as well as European Tour Order of Merit winners.

Players To Watch
Tiger Woods: World #2 and golf enigma Tiger Woods is making his 2013 debut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC.  Woods last played at the World Challenge, a tournament that benefits his foundation.  Woods finished third last season at this tournament, where Robert Rock and Rory McIlroy finished in the two spots ahead of him.  The last couple of weeks have been dedicated to fine-tuning his game.  Woods enters the 2013 season off his first healthy season in over five years.

Rory McIlroy: Rory McIlroy, the world's number-one ranked player, also makes his 2013 season debut at the HSBC.  McIlroy is debuting a new equipment deal with Nike and will have a full-set of new clubs at hand.  McIlroy is looking to continue his strong play and the he hopes the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship springboards his 2013 season.

Ernie Els: Els competed last weekend in the Volvo Golf Champions in South Africa where he had a solid finish.  Els, the defending Open Champion, hopes to have another strong season in his forties.

Jason Dufner: Coming off his strongest season on the PGA Tour, Dufner looks to get his 2013 season off to another strong start.  He competed in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions on the PGA Tour and is a special invite into the field in Abu Dhabi.

Justin Rose: Another top-10 player in the Official World Golf Ranking, the Englishman had a strong season in 2013.  Looking for his major breakthrough, Rose hopes the tournament in Abu Dhabi gives him the confidence to take his first major championship in 2013.

Holes to Watch
The Abu Dhabi Golf Club once again hosts the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.  The course plays in at just over 7300 yards and at par-72 will provide ample scoring opportunities for the players.

Hole 1: The opening hole is a strong par-4 with water up the right side.  Fairway bunkers flank both sides of the landing area so less-than driver will be called for on the hole.

Hole 2: A 600-yard par 4 gives the players a strong test.  The narrow fairway makes the tee shot extremely important and the layup will be vital in making this hole a birdie hole.

Hole 7: At 195 yards, the seventh hole takes a mid-long iron to reach a wide, shallow green. A carry over water and a bunker on the front of the green requires a solid shot to hit the green in regulation.

Hole 12: Another scenic par-3, the 12th hole measures in at 185 yards.  Water in front of the landing area is in play if a shot comes up short.

Hole 18: The tournament may come down to the 18th hole.  A reachable hole at 556 yards, players who hit a solid tee shot will have a shot at eagle and can make up numerous shots on the field.  But water is in play along the right side off the tee so big numbers are also possible.

Winner
Coming off an off season where he could fine-tune his game and relax instead of rehabbing injuries and overtooling his game, Tiger Woods will enter the Abu Dhabi HSBC with his game in top form.  After a third place finish last season without his A-game, Woods will be even more confident this season.  I forsee a solid week from Woods and he will take the win by two strokes over Justin Rose.  Rory McIlroy will have a solid finish, but the adjustment to his new sticks in the bag will struggle with some shots but will putt well enough to keep himself in play. 

2013 Volvo Golf Champions Preview and Prediction, European Tour

The European Tour is enjoying an extended holiday break with a week off the first week of 2013.  The tour returns next week in Durban, South Africa at the Durban Country Club for the Volvo Golf Champions.  The tournament features winners from the previous European Tour season as well as several special invitations for members with ten or more career European Tour events.  The Volvo Golf Champions takes place January 10th through the 13th.

The Durban Country Club is a classic country club golf course.  With a scorecard yardage of 6733, it is not the longest course but will give the players a stern challenge.

In the field

• Ernie Els
• Matteo Manessero
• Colin Montgomery
• Padraig Harrington
• Darren Clarke

Players to watch
Branden Grace: Grace enjoyed a breakout 2012 European Tour season that was jump-started with solid play in the South African swing at the beginning of the 2012 season.  He will look to continue his strong play in his home country and hopes to bring home another title.

Nicolas Colsaerts: Colsaerts concluded a strong 2012 season with solid finishes in Asia.  He is going to play primarily on the PGA Tour this season but will maintain European Tour membership.  His length will give him an advantage at the Volvo Golf Champions.

Winner:
Louis Oosthuizen: Oosthuizen has one of the best golf swings in the world and will put it to show in his home country of South Africa, taking the tournament with a two-stroke victory over Branden Grace.