The DP World Tour continues this week with the Porsche European Open on the North Course, Green Eagle Golf Courses, Hamburg, Germany.
The 156 field, with the top 65 including ties making the cut, will all be competing for a share of the €1.75m prize purse with the winner collecting the title and a cheque for €289,000.
North Course will be playing 7,603 yards long this week, it’s a par 72 , parkland layout and it’s called the Green Monster for a reason. With three holes playing over 600 yards, the pick of the bunch being the mammoth 16th which plays an incredible 705 yards long, it doesn’t require rocket science to suggest the winner will need power to prevail around Green Eagle.
Since this event has been hosted at Green Eagle Courses from 2017, with 2020 cancelled, it’s gone the way of four Englishman. Marcus Armitage, who’ll be the defending champion, won it last year in 2021, Paul Casey won in 2019, Richard McElvoy 2018 and Jordan Smith back in 2017.
The weather is forecast to be nice and pleasant with sunny conditions for the most part with breezes expected to remain calm, peaking at around 14mph on Thursday.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 12pm on Thursday afternoon.
So let’s move on with this week's selections for the Porsche European Open.
Marcus Armitage
For my first and main selection I’m going to advise, it surely has to be an Englishman since they always seem to win it so I’m going for the defending champion Marcus Armitage 40/1 EW Bet365.
That maiden DP World Tour win remains the only title the 34 year old from Salford has in the bag. He could easily double up this weekend with yet another victory in Hamburg.
Armitage has five Top 20 finishes already this year with the best being 5th at the Qatar Masters. Ranked 8th on the DP World Tour for Greens in Regulation at 70.99% and also hitting 310 yards driving distance on average, it’s clear to see that Armitage returns to Hamburg in fine fettle and could successfully defend his crown at generous odds on Sunday afternoon.
Victor Perez
For my next suggestion I’m going to single out a Frenchman, Victor Perez 40/1EW 10Bet. The 29 year old won the Dutch Open last weekend to make it his second victory on the DP World Tour.
His other title was when winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2019. Another notable performance this year was when finishing inside the Top 10 at the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain where he was 8th.
He has been consistently producing drives over 305 yards this year and if he arrives in Hamburg in the same frame if mind as last week at Bernardus he could be the one they all have to beat yet again.
Perez is bang on 100 in the world's top ranked players after last week's victory and he will be aiming to keep on rising with two crowns in one week on the DP World Tour.
Joachim B Hansen
For my next selection Im going to raise the bar and look for some good old value so for that reason I’m really liking the look of Joachim B Hansen 100/1 EW Unibet 1-6 places.
Now considering the talented 31 year old from Denmark has two DP World crowns already in the bag, I’d say the firms may be taking a chance here but that suits us just fine.
It’s kinda hard to go on the Dane’s recent form with his only Top 10 finish this year coming at the Steyn City Championship but he did finish off ending last year with five Top 20 finishes including a victory at the AVIV Dubai Championship. That was only a matter of months ago so for 100/1 to be on the table amazes me to be honest.
His other DP World Tour crown was when victorious at the Joburg Open in 2020. To think that a place in the Top 6 would still represent terrific value then it’s a small flutter worth considering in my opinion and how good would I look if Joachim B Hansen duly obliged.
Marcus Armitage v Eduardo Molinari
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and this week I’m going to stick with my main selection Marcus Armitage to beat Eduardo Molinari over 72 holes 5/6 Nap Bet 365.
Porsche European Open Tips
- Marcus Armitage 40/1 EW Bet365
- Victor Perez 40/1 EW 10Bet
- Joachim B Hansen 100/1 EW Unibet
- Marcus Armitage to beat Eduardo Molinari 5/6 Nap, Bet365, 72 hole matchbet
Very unlucky Caddy