I’VE said a few times recently that Brooks Koepka was one to watch and last week he came up trumps for us in Turkey at 35-1.
I also tipped Henrik Stenson and but for a triple-bogey seven in the first round he could have been challenging for the title but ended up third for a place so good weekend all round.
This week the European Tour is in Dubai for the final tournament of the season and Stenson will defend his World Tour Championship title against the top 60 from the Race to Dubai list, including a welcome return for Rory McIlroy.
Stenson won the title last year six shots clear of the field on 25 under so the course doesn’t hold any fear for him. He has had eight top-five finishes in his last 11 tournaments and I can see him winning here again.
When he won here last year he also took the Race to Dubai but can't catch this year’s winner McIlroy, even although he’s second in the race.
His stats this year are very good. He’s third in the rankings for stroke average, 13th in stroke accuracy at 69.90%, 16th in GIR at 73%. I think he gas a great chance this weekend and he’s my main selection.
Another man having a good season-ending run is Frenchman Alexander Levy. Since winning the Portuguese Masters in October he’s had four top-15 finishes, including a T2 in the BMW Masters where he had a final round 78 and lost the play-off to Siem.
His stats are okay, with a driving accuracy of over 60% and GIR of 71.3 so I reckon he’s worth a place bet.
A youngster I’ve been keeping an eye on is 23-year-old Eddie Pepperell. He’s had an up and down season but started to come good from the middle of the year, with six top-10 finishes. His driving accuracy has dropped to just under 60% but his GIR stat is still around 69%. He’s one to watch in 2015 and it wouldn’t surprise me if he had top five this weekend following his T10 in Turkey.
Looking at Lee Westwood’s stats I don’t really know why I’m picking him. His driving accuracy is down six per cent on last season to 57% and his GIR is 66%, worst in eight years, but his T8 was his best result since he won the Malaysian Open in April. Westwood won here in 2009 and has two top fives since I’m putting on a small place bet.
15pt staking plan
Henrik Stenson 4pts win (17-2, bet365)
Alexander Levy 2pts ew (35-1, Stan James)
Eddie Pepperell 0.5pt ew (90-1, bet365)
Lee Westwood 1pt ew (25-1, 888sport)
Ace Venturer
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Like the look of Stenson but the odds are a bit skinny. Went with Poulter last week and see no reason to desert him now. Available at 20/1 with Corals. For those looking for better value I think Luiten (40/1), Gallacher (70/1) and Ilonen (80/1) might be worth following.
SWJL, had a look at a Racing Post this morning while waiting for the rain to clear. Their headline tip is also Stenson but as you say odds are skinny. I like to go with big each-way prices so will take Ace’s Levy and Post’s Coetzee at 60-1.
Seen a few mentions on OLBG of Colsaerts chances. What you reckon?
Had koepka last week too..ACE..this week oosty and wattel outright. .and w/o big 2..(stenson,mcilroy)..have zanotti lipsky ormsby and sullivan
Minor tours..Australia. .gibson griffin dartnall..Japan..tsukada yamashita oh..Manila ..chia peterson tabuena..
Graham,took a look at Colsaerts but don’t think he’s back to his best. He’s had a good end to the season but throws in the odd really bad round. I backed him recently for the Hong Kong Open but he missed the cut with a 79 second round. If you fancy him make it a small each way.
DP Tour Championships
N.COLSAERTS 55/1
F.ZANOTTI 175/1
2 x £2 e/way