After all the drama and excitement at the Ryder Cup last weekend, the European Tour resumes this week at the home of golf amongst others for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
This is a pro-am tournament played on three of the most beautiful links terrains you’ll ever see, St Andrews Old Course, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns.
All three courses will be playing par 72 with two rounds on the Old Course which includes Sunday's final round.
There is a nice $5M prize pot up for grabs for the 168 competitors on the European Tour this week with the winner collecting the title and $853,500.
The weather is forecast to be cloudy throughout with colder conditions with the breezes expected to pick up over the weekend.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 1pm on Thursday.
Last week I posted five daily selections at the Ryder Cup and all five landed so well done to everyone who followed my selections and collected a tidy profit.
So on to this weeks selections for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Jamie Donaldson
For my first and main pick I’m going to look for some good old value and suggest Jamie Donaldson 66/1 EW Ladbrokes.
The recent BMW PGA Championship runner up will relish the links challenge and looks a tad overpriced in my book.
The 45yr old veteran Welshman has had three top 5 finishes this year, 2nd at the BMW PGA Championship as mentioned, 2nd at the Cazoo Classic and 5th at the Qatar Masters.
Donaldson really seems to enjoy playing in windy conditions and has a links victory to his name when winning the Irish Open at Royal Portrush.
His best efforts at this event include 8th, 9th and 13th so Donaldson is as good as any in the field this week at such an attractive price so my advice is get the value while it’s available.
Tyrrell Hatton
For my next selection I’m going to single out Tyrrell Hatton 18/1 EW Bet365.
The 29yr old Englishman comes here fresh from his Ryder Cup performance at Whistling Straits last weekend.
He is a two-time previous winner of this event having won it in 2016 & 2017, is another who enjoys playing links golf and really relishes the challenge links has to offer.
With six European and one PGA title already in the bag, the world number 19 will be eyeing up yet another victory and challenging all the way at Sunday’s final round on the Old Course.
Hatton won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship earlier this year and can double up on his 2021 tally with a victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship this weekend.
Branden Grace
For my next suggestion I’m liking the look of a player who has been on my radar recently, Branden Grace 25/1 EW Betfair.
The 33yr old South African will not fear the wind if it blows this week as I’m sure it will. He thrives in these conditions and proved that when winning this event in 2012.
Grace comes here in fine fettle having most recently finished 12th at the Dutch Open on the European Tour and an even better 5th at the Wyndham Championship over on the PGA Tour.
He won the Puerto Rico Open over in America earlier on this year to make it two PGA crowns after winning the RBC Heritage and also has five European titles to add on his CV.
He also has four Top 5 major finishes to his name and I can only see the South African being a danger this week in tricky windy good old links tradition conditions.
Jamie Donaldson v Jordan Smith
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and I’m going to advice my main selection Jamie Donaldson to get the better of Jordan Smith over 72 holes (EVS) Ladbrokes Nap.
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Tips
- Jamie Donaldson 66/1 EW Ladbrokes
- Tyrrell Hatton 18/1 EW Bet365
- Branden Grace 25/1 EW Betfair
- Jamie Donaldson to beat Jordan Smith Nap EVS Ladbrokes, 72 hole matchbet
