Ace’s Golf Tips: Thai looks good for China

TOPWIN Golf and Country Club will be a tough test for players as it hosts this week's Volvo China Open.

There are undulating greens and water hazards on every hole except 13, 14 and 15 and GIR and Putting could be stats to watch.

The club north of Beijing opened in 2011 and was designed by Ian Woosnam. It is a parkland course that runs through countryside among fruit and pine trees with frequent views of the Great Wall of China.

• Course: Topwin Golf and Country Club: 7261 yards, Par 72.

Alexander Levy

Levy has an excellent record in this competition with two wins and a third in his last four attempts here. He had an excellent win at the weekend in the Trophee Hassan II. It was his sixth outing and in that run he has also had three top-seven finishes. However, at 9-1 favourite the odds are just too short for me.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat

The Thai  has also been in good form this year, with two wins and two top-five finishes. He played superbly in the two WGC tournaments (Dell Match Play and Mexico Championship).

His first-round 79 at Augusta was a killer but he did play four rounds to finish T44. He’s sitting fourth on both the European and Asian Tours and being back in Asia could boost him further up the Race to Dubai.

• GIR: 71.4 (26th) Putts Per Round: 29.3 (53rd).

Joost Luiten

The Belgian has been quietly going about his business this year with a win in Oman and two ninth places in the last two months. He has always impressed me and although last year wasn’t a great one he looks to have got his game back together

It’s hard to believe he hasn’t won since the KLM Open in 2016 but with the Ryder Cup this year he’ll be desperate to nip over the border to Paris in September.

• GIR: 73.7% (8th). Putts Per Round: 29.2 (19th).

Recommended Bets

• 1.5pts ew Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Ladbrokes, 16-1)
  1.5pts ew Joost Luiten (Coral, 20-1)