Getting Started with DP World Tour Predictions for 2024
Alright, so folks have been asking how I go about figuring out my picks for the DP World Tour season. It’s not rocket science, really, more of a routine I’ve settled into over the years. Thought I’d share how I tackled it for 2024.
First thing I did, way back before the season really kicked off, was just sit down with the schedule. You gotta know the landscape, right? I pulled up the list of tournaments for 2024. Looked at where they’re playing, when they’re playing. Some courses favor certain types of players, you know? Bombers thrive here, short-game wizards there. Made a few notes on that.
Looking at the Players
Then comes the messy part – the players. This takes a bit more time. I basically started going through the main contenders, the guys you expect to see near the top.
- Recent Form: How did they finish last season? Any strong performances in the tail end of 2023? Momentum matters, even over the break.
- Course History: This is a big one for specific events. I checked how certain players performed at key courses in previous years. Some guys just love certain tracks.
- Stats (the simple stuff): Didn’t go super deep here. Just looked at basic things like driving accuracy, greens in regulation, putting averages from the previous season. Gives you a general feel for their strengths and weaknesses.
- New Blood: Always keep an eye on the newly promoted guys from the Challenge Tour or Q-School. Sometimes you find a gem who hits the ground running.
I didn’t use any fancy software or anything. Mostly just browsing the official tour site, maybe some major sports news outlets. I literally just scribbled names and notes down on a pad. Old school, I guess.
Putting it Together (and Second Guessing)
Once I had my notes spread out, I started trying to piece together some actual predictions. Who’s likely to win majors (if they qualify)? Who might snag multiple regular season wins? Who could be a surprise package?
This involves a lot of gut feeling too. Sometimes the stats don’t tell the whole story. You see a player who looks technically sound but maybe lacks that winning edge, or someone who’s streaky but dangerous when they get hot. I tried to balance the numbers with that kind of intuition.
Made a list of potential winners for the first few events. Then thought about the Race to Dubai – who are the likely contenders for the overall title? You look for consistency, guys who travel well, guys who peak for the big Rolex Series events.
Honestly, I went back and forth quite a bit. Changed my mind on a few players. You look at it one day, feel confident. Look at it the next, and you start doubting yourself. That’s just part of the fun, I suppose.
The Ongoing Process
And that’s pretty much it. It’s not a one-and-done thing. The initial prediction list is just a starting point. As the season goes on, you have to adjust. Players get injured, lose form, or someone completely unexpected catches fire. So, week to week, I’ll revisit my thoughts, see how things are actually playing out compared to what I guessed way back when. It’s a continuous process of watching, learning, and tweaking those initial predictions I made for 2024.
