NOT much happening in the last tournaments of the year on both sides of the Atlantic. In Sun City, South Africa we have the Nedbank Challenge with a 30-man field and over the Atlantic we have the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas with only 18 invited players. So it should be easy pickings (famous last words).
The Gary Player Country Club is a long 7831 yards course but accuracy off the tee, not long hitting, could be the answer this week.
With this in mind my first pick is Jaco van Zyl who finished T8 in the Alfred Dunhill Championship last week with a superb last round of 64. He missed a lot of season 2014 because of operations on both knees but has come back stronger.
This year he has five top-six placings, including a second in the Turkish Airlines Open at the beginning of November. He has a driving accuracy stat of 67.5%, GIR of 70.5% and putting per round of 29 and looks in good form so a small wager might be in order.
My next selection is Emiliano Grillo who I tipped for the Fry’s.com in the first tournament of the new season on the PGA Tour in October.
He played in the World Tour Championship in Dubai and had a great tournament, finishing T4. His stats for the tourney were impressive with driving accuracy of 82.1% and GIR of 83.3% so if he can continue that form he will be in with a chance come Sunday.
Over the pond the Hero World Challenge goes to the Bahamas for the 18-man invitational. In his last 20 rounds Patrick Reed has only been over 70 twice with five top-10 finishes. On the PGA Tour he has driving accuracy stats of just over 70% and GIR of 82.4% (fourth in the standings). I’ve backed him a few times in the last month or so and I think I’ll give him another go this week.
Paul Casey had a great 2015 with eight top-10 finishes. Although he didn’t win it was great to see him fighting it out regularly. Having ruled himself out of the running for a Ryder Cup spot I think all his focus will be on the Tour.
In his two tournaments this season his stats are really good, driving accuracy of 72.32% and GIR 81.25% and putting average of 30.25. All things considered he’s worth a bet.
That’s me for the year guys. Hope we can round off 2015 with a win this weekend and that you all have a good Xmas and New Year.
Recommended Bets
Nedbank Challenge
1.5pts ew Jaco van Zyl (50-1, BetVictor)
1.5pts ew Emiliano Grillo (28-1, Betvictor)
Hero World Challenge
1.5pts ew Patrick Reed (12-1, Ladbrokes)
1.5pts ew Paul Casey (20-1, Paddypower)
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.
GambleAware
Thanks ace, top tips and merry xmas.
nice to see you backing casey again, I picked him out a few weeks back(was a personal fav, a few years back, the days when we had, a host potential major winners) along with an old fav p reed. was thrilled to see you say, the courses suiting again.
brilliant info as always.
Do you have any thoughts on Jason day and his vertigo?
the don cossack, my own tips this week are Zach Johnson in the Hero at 25-1 ew and Brandon Grace at 10-1 in the Nedbank.
Hi the don cossack.
Like yourself have liked Casey for years, before he went off the boil. Thing next year could be a really special year for him.
As for Jason Day, he looks to be able to manage it now, and it certainly didn’t stop him winning the USPGA. Hopefully he’s over it now.
Looking promising ace, I’m on all, decided to do a little double of reed and willet also for a bit of fun, any thoughts on Danny willet lads?
Followed you most times & last week Ace.Unlucky with Luiten,although place is better than nothing.
This week,as its the last this year,im going with my own.
Got to be Jordan Speith,guy is awesome.Slow starter,but what a finisher.
Matt Kucher for the short game skills too.
Matthew Fitzpatrick,cant stay out the top 10 most weeks.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat,as i rate him as a top golfer & want to see him win again.
4 Ew Dbls.
Got on them yesterday. Looking forward to the tips for the big ones next year.
Happy Xmas and new year to all