Masters Champion Returns to Saudi Arabia
Dustin Johnson has won his first FedEx Cup and joined the famous Green Jacket club since his last trip to Saudi Arabia, so the world number one is bursting with confidence for his return to a happy hunting ground.
The Masters champion has a superb record in the Saudi International, having won the inaugural edition with a 19-under-par total in 2019, then coming close to defending his title 12 months later. The giant Carolinian carded a second-round 61 on his way to victory two years ago, then finished runner-up on his last visit, so he has shown a real affection for this layout.
Plenty of punters will be eyeing up the 5/1 about Johnson as he tackles the Royal Greens course again. Most of the holes at the track can be reduced to a driver and a wedge for DJ, so he can be expected to contend if he applies himself properly. Johnson has played only once this year, finishing 11th in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. He made 24 birdies in the Sentry, despite arriving full of Christmas rust.
DeChambeau Ready to Showcase his Power
Just behind Dustin Johnson in the Saudi International betting is his fellow American, Bryson DeChambeau, who continues to find ways of extending his driving distance.
DeChambeau has become obsessed with hitting his ball as far as possible and has been in consultation with long-drive specialists in a bid to make his swing even more powerful. The longest driver on the PGA Tour will be relishing the chance to fully unleash on a Royal Greens course which encourages aggressive golf.
Haotong Li once made three eagles in a round at this track – several of the par-fours are in range – and DeChambeau will expect to have lots of eagle putts over the next four days. The 15/2 available about DeChambeau will appeal to many, especially as he already has experience of the layout, having finished sixth in the 2019 edition.
The cocksure Californian is making his second start of 2021, having finished seventh in the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Controversial Reed Hunting Back-To-Back Wins
Patrick Reed was hogging most of the golfing headlines last week and the controversial Texan is putting himself back in the spotlight for the Saudi International. The good stuff from Reed in the Farmers Insurance Open last week was how well he was swinging on his way to a five-shot victory at Torrey Pines, but the bad stuff was some more questionable conduct with regards to the rules.
Reed declared his ball embedded at the tenth hole of round three and picked it up before inviting a rules official to take a look, so golf fans were in fury about his apparent lack of respect for golfing etiquette.
The trophy ended up in the hands of the 2018 Masters champion, though, and his most loyal followers will be sniffing around the 14/1 that he collects more silverware in the Saudi International.
*All odds correct at time of writing.