BOTH Dustin Johnson and Marcus Fraser gave us a good run for our money at the weekend but unfortunately fell at the last hurdle. We still got a return on their second and third places and hopefully that elusive winner isn’t far away.
This week the European Tour heads down to South Africa for the Joburg Open at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club.
I’m taking Gregory Bourdy as my first pick. He’s had two top-five finishes in his last three tournaments and has played steady golf this year. His driving accuracy has not been great this season (64.73) but GIR is a superb 77.43%.
Out of 16 rounds of golf he has only been over 70 three times and two of them were his first tournament of the year at Abu Dhabi. Also in six career rounds on this course he has never hit higher than 70.
My next pick is old favourite Thomas Aiken who has finished in the top six in the last two seasons here. He topped the rankings of GIR on the European Tour last season with an average 76.3%. He was also eighth in driving accuracy with 73.4%. His putting isn’t great at 30.55 but think he’s a good each-way bet.
In America the Tour moves to the Florida Swing for the Honda Classic at the PGA National with what looks like the strongest field of the year. Rory McIlroy is a strong favourite at a very short price so I’d leave him for this one.
Martin Kaymer is making his first start of the year on the PGA Tour after two top-four finishes on the European Tour at Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The 2014 US Open champion seems to be back to his best. His GIR stat is over 76% and driving accuracy is only over 57% but driving accuracy seems to be a problem for most golfers this early in the season (well it is for me!)
My favourite player at the moment is Brooks Koepka and although I didn’t tip him for the Waste Management I did manage to back him on the Sunday at 8-1. So I’m taking him this week as I think the guy is a great talent and I have high hopes for him this season. On the Tour he is number one for eagles, second for scoring average, fifth for strokes gained tee to green and his GIR is over 71%. A good each-way bet.
Finally although Ryan Palmer missed the cut at the AT&T he had a solid run up until then. That ended a string of nine top-25s. He lost in a play-off last year at the PGA National and is looking good for a place.
Recommended Bets
Gregory Bourdy 2pts ew (22-1, 888sport)
Thomas Aiken 1pts ew (25-1, 888sport)
Martin Kaymer 1.5pts ew (33-1, Coral)
Brooks Koepka 1pt ew (35-1, Betfred)
Ryan Palmer 1pt ew (35-1, Paddy Power)
Ace Venturer
In December 2020 we sadly 
On e/w Garcia & kaymar, GL
Martin keymer first round leader @35/1
Must be worth a 5 spot
Hi lads. So close to a winner in the last few weeks ace. After that flop shot of dustin Johnson on the second playoff hole tought he would go on and win.
I no the odds are low but I dont know how you can look past rory this week. If he turns up with his A game nobody will beat him.
Tips this week.
Rory macilroy 7/2
Russell Henley 50/1
Ryan Palmer 35/1
Hi Ian,
Left Rory out because of his price. Haven’t seen a starting price that low since Tiger in his heyday.
Ace, just clocked Racing Post tips. Main tip for Joburg is one of your guys Thomas Aiken while in the States they go for Keegan Bradley ew and include McIlroy at 7-2 to win on their staking plan.
Bourdy and Mcilory. 2x singles… And a very small double.
Ace, I wasn’t really into golf until the last 5 years so haven’t really seen Tiger at his prime. Is Rory better just now than Tiger was? coz I’m thinking 4/1 most tournaments if you get on early sounds greeeaaaattt odds
Weebanger, I’m old enough unfortunately. Tiger in his prime was unstoppable – Rory at his best is unbeatable but he’s noy yet dominating the way Tiger did in his prime but he’s got time on his side and looks likely to win even more Majors than Tiger and that’s what golfers are judged on.
Ive been looking at numerous sites over the past few days, and I can honestly say, everyone has their reasons to why they think someone has the ability to win these golf tournaments…..So, for the Jo’burg Open I have gone for George Coetzee @ 10/1, My reasons being he always plays well in his homeland & since 2007 only 2 NON South Africans have won here…Over in the Honda Classic my pick is Rory McIlroy @ 7/2.Yes, the price is way to weak for a field of this size, but we all know when he’s hot , he’s HOT, and if you think someone will win, then the price is immaterial…..EW Double Top 5 @ Skybet.
Joburg Open. Byeong-hun An top 20 finish 11/8 Stan James. Last 4 event finishes have been 22, 12, 5 & 13 in much better fields. Was 9th going into final round last year before blowing up (not literally). Looks well capable for top 20.
Tiger at his best is the best golf I’ve ever seen!! I never saw Nicklaus plamer hogan ect only on recordings.. Which is not the same. Tiger and rory are driffrent types of golfers. Tiger was the best putter the game ever saw.. If he needed to make it he made it!! Rory is still evolving as a golfer but has probaly the best long game. Driving/ irons. And is good around the greens. But not a great putter.. But because he is so long and aricuate he can miss putts and still win.. To me Rory looks like he has the belief and the determation to win more majors..
The only way you can decide who is better is on major wins. Which were Gona have to wait for a while as Rory going to be around for a while!!
Ace I understand about price just think Rory is special and the way he started this year looks in great form. Plus he has won at honda before. He likes this course.
I like ur tip on Ryan plamer he could have won in phoneix and plays well in Florida.
Ian, I agree re-Rory. He’s seems to be on another planet at the moment. In his last six tournaments on the European Tour he’s won three and second on three occasions. Some form.
Nearly had my 2nd winner of the year but Dustin Johnson blew his playoff match another second for me it’s becoming contagious.
Onto this week and as much as I would not turn down a 4/1 shot most weeks in most sports I think despite winning here already and losing out in a play off last year it’s too short but what it does give in value in other players
Tips keegan Bradley to win 25/1 e/w he has solid record here and plaued well last week
Sergio garcia 28/1 ew good ball striker and been in gold form this season
Justin Rose 22/1 ew another great ball striker which is needed here
leecuncliffe, I’m on McIlroy and Ace’s Aiken – each-way double.
Mr f Rory is clearly the best player in world right now am just hoping it takes him week or 2 to hit his straps if Rory was 10/1 or more importantly would love it but just too short odds for a competition so open
Leecunliffe, I’d rather have a 7/2 winner or place,,, than a 10/15/25 to 1 loser.I know what you mean by the big field being so open but as I said, price should’nt matter if you believe its a winner.
SA..molinari kieffer van.tonder n di silva..
Pga..w/o rory ..steele goose kirk and de..early (laet)..
Lpga…yoo ..lee..ew..
Rose 22/1 E/W 6 places with PP
Bourdy 18/1 E/W (glad to see Ace has backed this one)
Smaller each ways on
Morrison 80/1 E/W
Kaymer 30/1 E/W
Wheres this weeks?? Bookies shuts at 10!!