The European Tour remains in the British Isles this week for the Cazoo Open at Twenty Ten Course, Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales.
I’ve already posted my preview on the website for this weeks PGA Tour event, the 3M Open with a mention to congratulate Collin Morikawa who won The 149th Open Championship at Royal St George’s.
This week on this side of the big pond we are in Wales where the 132 field will all be competing on this stunning par 71 parkland course for a share of the €1M prize pot with the winner collecting the trophy and €152,825.
Romain Langasque returns to defend the title he won last year, his maiden European Tour victory. Other course winners taking part include Gregory Bourdy and Sam Horsfield.
The weather is forecast to be hot and sunny but the threat of some rain could play a factor over the weekend.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 11am GMT on Thursday.
Sam Horsfield
So let’s have a look at this weeks Cazoo Open selections, for my first and main selection I’m going to single out Sam Horsfield 14/1 EW Bet365.
The young talented 24yrs old Englishman from Manchester won the Celtic Classic at this resort last year with a scorecard reading 18 under par so will come here this week full of confidence.
He will be aiming to get back inside the world's Top 100 as he is currently just one place outside at 101. With two European Crowns already in the bag , both last year when winning the Celtic Classic and the Hero Open, Horsfield knows what it takes to win on the European Tour unlike most in this week's field.
He can bring that expertise and experience to make it a hat-trick of wins on the Tour.
It’s fair to say he didn’t exactly enjoy the recent links course golf events when missing the cut at the Scottish Open but did manage 67th place at The Open Championship last week which isn’t all that bad considering the talent on show.
This year his most notable efforts include T5th at the BMW International, T19th at the Scandinavian, 4th at the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open, T3rd Kenya Savannah Classic and T8th at the Magical Kenya Open. These are all Top 20, Top 10 and Top 5 finishes.
I can only see Horsfield being a danger this week and the one they all have to beat if producing this kind of form and 14/1 looks pretty decent in my opinion.
Laurie Canter
For my next selection I’m going to advise Laurie Canter 20/1 EW Bet365.
The 31 yrs old from Bath, England is still looking for that elusive maiden European title but could well prevail in Wales this weekend.
The Englishman has been so unlucky on a number of occasions with a few runners up prizes including 2nd Portugal Masters, 2nd Italian Open, 2nd KPMG Trophy and 2nd PDC Open. Surely a winners position on the podium awaits for Canter anytime soon.
His best finishes this year are T4th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and T8th at the Made in Himmerland. He has only played twelve events this year and finished in the Top 10 twice.
Canter is one of the best ball strikers and drivers on the Tour and this event at Celtic Manor could just be what he’s been waiting for. He has gained shots off the tee in eleven of his last twelve tournaments. H
He was 5th at this event last year and will be aiming for an even better effort this time around and finally be crowned as a European Tour Champion.
Connor Syme
For my next pick I’m going to advise one of Scotland's homegrown talents, Connor Syme 33/1 EW Betfair.
The 26 yrs old from Kirkcaldy in Fife is another looking for that first European Title but has won on the Challenge Tour when winning the Turkish Airlines Challenge so knows what it takes to get a victory.
He has come close on a few occasions to winning that crown; 2nd at the Shot Clock Masters, T3rd at this venue last year at the Celtic Classic, 4th at the Austrian Golf Open and this year 3rd at the Magical Kenya Open and T5th at the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open.
Last year at the Wales Open around this track the Scotsman finished 8th so clearly relishes the challenge at Celtic Manor and really enjoys playing his golf here.
The young Scotsman was actually the leader going into the final round on both those occasions at Celtic Manor and will be looking to do the same this week but instead hold on to that top of the Leaderboard position right through to the 18th and final hole on the back nine and claim the Cazoo Open title .
Richie Ramsay v Mikko Kohonen
For my final selection it’s the customary 72 hole matchbet and I’m going to advise Richie Ramsay to out-duel Mikko Kohonen 10/11 Nap Betfair.
