THE European Tour heads to Sun City in South Africa for the Nedbank Challenge which is played at the Gary Player Country Club.
A Par 72 course its length of 7831 plays a lot less due to the high altitude, however power is the key element this week as a good drive is essential and as always a hot putter is a must as scoring tends to be on the low side. A field of 72 will start on Thursday morning.
Rory McIlroy is the favourite at 8-1 and will carry a lot of support. However, at the price and with his recent form of poor driving and putting I am afraid he wont me carrying any of my money this week . Having said that I expect him to be in the mix come Sunday evening. My three to follow at better value are as follows..
My headline pick last week was Lucas Bjerregaard who finished a solid tied 5th last week to move up in the world from 54 to current 51. Another good show this week will take him into the elite top 50. He has a good record in South Africa and when his putter is hot as it was in the recent Dunhill he can once again go very close.
Second pick goes to a player who took Justin Rose to a play-off last week in Turkey, Haotong Li. He threw away a three shot lead but hung in there to force a play-off after Rose stormd into the lead and only a stupid three put at the first extra play off hole stopped him from recording a tour victory. Providing the scars have healed he is in form and can go close again.
Last but not least the third pick is a firm favourite of mine and will receive a lot of home support. Louis Oosthuizen is a proven winner on home soil and his recent 5th in the CIMB Classic proves his game is in solid shape. A proven good driver he can deliver a home victory
Recommended Bets
- Bjerregaard (EW) to win (18-1, Paddy Power)
- Li (EW) to win (16-1, Paddy Power)
- Oosthuizen (EW) to win (14-1, Paddy Power)
- (Paddy Power are paying 7 places)
- Bjerregaard Top 10 finish (9-4, Skybet)
- Li Top 10 finish (15-8, Unibet)
- Oosthuizen Top 10 Finish (13-8, Betfair)
