This week features the tour ending Dubai World Golf Championship where the games top players come together for a huge purse and a chance to finish the year with a much sort after title. Luke Donald has a little more to play for than most, he can become the first player to ever top both the U.S. and European money lists, and he only needs to finish in the top nine to achieve it. He already has the U.S. title wrapped up and a top nine finish will see him adding the European title.

Donald’s biggest danger comes from young Rory McIlroy, fresh from a victory in the Hong Kong Open. McIlroy will need to win and hope that Donald finishes outside the top nine if he is going to claim the European title. Against McIlroy is his history, he rarely wins two consecutive events. However, he does have two top five finishes in this event over the last two seasons, so he does play well on this course.

Lee Westwood could be McIlroy’s thorn in this event. He too is fresh from a win, this time in South Africa and with a history of a win and a third in this event, he’s going to be tough to hold out. Westwood also has a history of put back-to-back victories together. Bookmakers have made Westwood an 11/2 favourite for this event just ahead of McIlroy on 13/2 and Donald at 11/1. Sergio Garcia is next best at 14/1 with the rest of the field at long odds.

On form, it does look to be a race between Westwood and McIlroy. Donald should be able to hold on to a top ten finish, history is on his side there, the competition this year is not terribly strong. Of the outsiders, Charl Schwartzel at 25/1 is certainly worth some thought. He won the US Masters this year and finished runner up in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, certainly worth an each way ticket for a top five finish.

Our tip – Westwood is in great form and at 11/2, good value for a favourite. We’re tipping him ahead of McIlroy, Donald and Schwartzel.