News All Articles
Ras Al Khaimah Championship: Fantasy DP World Tour ones to watch
Fantasy

Ras Al Khaimah Championship: Fantasy DP World Tour ones to watch

Feel closer to the action on the DP World Tour by competing against golf fans from around the world in our official Fantasy game as the Race to Dubai continues this week with the Ras Al Khaimah Championship.

Fantasy DPWT RAK

England's Daniel Gavins returns to Al Hamra Golf Club as the defending champion following his dramatic victory at last year's edition, with an array of international talent look to etch their name onto the trophy.

Fellow DP World Tour winners Rasmus Højgaard, Pablo Larrazábal and Thorbjørn Olesen are among those in action for third consecutive DP World Tour event of the new year in the United Arab Emirates.

There is also a blend of rising stars and greats of the European game in action with European Challenge Tour winner Alex Fitzpatrick making his tournament debut, while Padraig Harrington and Thomas Bjørn are teeing it up too.

If you have not done so already, you can sign up to play the official 2024 DP World Tour Fantasy game and submit your six-man team before round one gets under way on Thursday: https://fantasy.dpworldtour.com/

The 2024 season-long winner will win a trip to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai next year, enjoy a lesson with a DP World Tour professional and a round of golf on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. For more information on this amazing prize and others, read here.

Fantasy Prize

Fantasy Insight: As it stands, Rasmus Højgaard is the favourite for players of our Fantasy Game this week, featuring in 77% of teams. Other popular players include his fellow Dane Thorbjørn Olesen (59%) and Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal (53%).

Alex Fitzpatrick, who is making his Ras Al Khaimah Championship debut this week, is the fourth most picked player, featuring in 50% of Fantasy teams.

Here, we pick out three players in action this week who are worth considering for your Fantasy team selections.

Favourite - Rasmus Højgaard

It's easy to understand why the Dane is the leading pick among Fantasy users for this week.

Following a strong end to last season on the DP World Tour, the 22-year-old has opened up the new year with back-to-back ties for 11th at the Dubai Invitational and Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The four-time DP World Tour winner also finished in a tie for sixth at this week's venue, Al Hamra Golf Club, and is looking to emulate twin brother Nicolai in winning this event.

Rasmus Højgaard: I'm in a much better place than last year

Form horse - Zander Lombard

It's been a very positive start to the season for the South African as he hopes this might prove to be the year he lands an elusive first DP World Tour title.

Having finished fourth, 12th and then 25th in his first three starts of the campaign on home soil at the end of last year, he has since recorded back-to-back top 20s in Dubai to sit just outside the top 10 on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

He now makes the short journey over to Ras Al Khaimah with hope he can continue his fine form after finishing in a tie for second in last year's edition at Al Hamra Golf Club.

Zander Lombard

Wild card - Jesper Svensson

At 15th on the Race to Dubai, the Swede is the highest ranked of the 20 European Challenge Tour graduates in the field.

On his Rolex Series debut at last week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the 27-year-old impressively bounced back from an opening 76 to card a 68 as he made the cut on the number before finishing in a tie for 31st.

After challenging for victory at the Investec South African Open Championship earlier in the season, could the World Number 271 spring a surprise and land his maiden DP World Tour in his rookie season?

Jesper Svensson

Who have our commentary team picked?

  • Dominik Holyer - Zander Lombard
  • Anthony Wall - Keita Nakajima
  • Jamie Spence - Marco Penge
  • David Howell - Marcus Helligkilde
  • Wayne Riley - Pablo Larrazábal
  • Inci Mehmet - Jordan Smith
FDPWT_RAK_Email-Creative_Commentators

Looking back – Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy won a record-breaking fourth Hero Dubai Desert Classic as he successfully defended his title at Emirates Golf Club in the first Rolex Series event of the season. 

The Northern Irishman was the pre-tournament favourite, including for our Fantasy players, with the four-time Major champion featuring in 64% of teams and was the overwhelming choice as team Captain with 59% of users opting for him.

Tommy Fleetwood, our selection as Form Horse following his victory at the Dubai Invitational, was chosen by 57% of players and finished in a tie for 14th to earn some valuable points who picked him.

Our Wild Card Adri Arnaus was unable to emulate the form he showed over the Majlis Course in 2020 and 2021 as he missed the cut.

Season so far - 2024 DP World Tour Fantasy player rankings

PlayerPoints
Adrian Meronk620
Joaquin Niemann533
Laurie Canter521
Richard Mansell517
Antoine Rozner506
Grant Forrest505
Connor Syme498
Calum Hill490
Adam Scott488
Jeff Winther488

Read next