The DP World Tour takes an unusual twist this week for the Scandinavian Mixed at Halmstad Golf Club, Tylosand, Sweden.
This unique event is unlike any other on the PGA and DP World Tours where both men and woman will compete in the same field, on the same course, for the same prize money and trophy, with the only difference being the tee positions.
The top golfers from the DP World Tour and European LPGA Tour will unite for four days of golf in Sweden with some away on other business involving this LIV Golf set up.
I’ll not mention any names but I’m just not a fan of this breakaway Saudi carry on. It’s purely all about the money if you ask me and straight away that takes the fun out the game in my opinion. This is when you’ll see the true colours of some or many as the case may be, we already have. Players have already been roped in with usually unannounced lucrative pay packages. I’ve been hearing that nine digit sums have been offered on the table, that’s $100million minimum, absolutely ridiculous sums of money when you consider the climate that we live in but then again I better be careful here not to open up a can of worms but it’s basically just all for monetary purposes.
Do they not already have enough money and luxuries to live comfortably for the rest of their lives and have some respect and gratitude for playing the sport that they apparently love so much? Why do they need more money ???? In fact I’ll answer that, they don’t ! It's just greed and power through money, having its way yet again and it’s also best if I stop there for now and get back to this weeks preview.
Scandinavian Mixed
Once again the Scandinavian Mixed will be hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam.
The 156 field will consist of, you’ve probably already guessed, 78 males from the DP World Tour and 78 females from the LPGA European Tour. They will all be competing for a share of the $2m prize purse with the winner collecting the title and a cheque for $350,000.
Jonathan Caldwell returns to defend his crown, he won this event when it was launched for the first time in 2021 with a -17 scorecard seeing off Adrian Otaegui by a single shot at Vallda.
Halmstad Golf Club will be playing 6,909 yards this week , it’s a par 72, parkland lay out where the key attribute will be power and greens in regulation.
The weather forecasts scattered showers throughout with humid conditions. Breezes are expected to peak at around 15mph on Sunday.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at midday on Thursday.
So let’s move on with this week's selections for the Scandinavian Mixed.
Alex Noren
For my first pick in Sweden I’m really liking the look of Alex Noren 10/1 EW Skybet.1-6 places.
I’m just finding it so hard to stay clear from the favourite on his return to his homeland. The 39 year old from Stockholm plays all his golf on the PGA Tour these days and that’s where the clue lies, right there.
Listen, it’s a totally different level I’m afraid on the PGA Tour and I’ve a feeling this gap will be on show for all to see this week.
Noren has five Top 20 finishes already this year across the big pond with two of those being Top 10s. He was T6th at the Phoenix Open and T5th at the Honda Classic. He arrives home as the highest ranked golfer in this field and the world No.60 is by far head and shoulders above this entire field.
Noren's putter is on fire at the moment, he is currently 20th on the PGA Tour for SG Putting, that could be another clue.
It’s my job to put a smile on your face as you go to collect your winnings on a Sunday evening so this one’s for all you profiteers, safe in the knowledge that just a place in the top six will return a nice profit. I’m actually tempted to make it my Nap of the tournament but then again maybe not, 10/1 Nap, unheard off eh , I’ll keep this week's Nap for later.
Henrik Stenson
For my next selection I’m going to advise one of the co-hosts, Henrik Stenson 30/1 EW Bet365.
The veteran 46 year old from Gothenburg who won The 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2016 could easily prevail on home soil this weekend. With 13 victories already in the bag on both the PGA and DP World Tours including the major mentioned above, this could be Stenson’s best opportunity for a while to get back in the winners enclosure.
With two Top 20 finishes to boast this year; 17th at the Saudi International and T18th at the Valero Texas Open, Stenson does come here with better recent form than most in this field surprisingly.
I just have a feeling that if Henrik Stenson produces any of the form that seen him finish in the Top 20 at much better star-studded events then that form would be more than enough to earn yet another crown for the former world number two.
Maja Stark
For my next suggestion I’m going to point you in the direction of Maja Stark 25/1 EW Bet365. Now don’t say I’m not a crowd pleaser, of course I was always going to include one of the ladies and this one’s on merit.
This talented 22 year old Swede who only turned professional last year could put on a show in her own backyard this week, honestly this girl is sensational.
Now I’m not going to pretend I’m an expert on the LPGA European Tour by any means but I do watch it just as I watch every now and then woman’s football, woman’s tennis and best of all the woman’s beach volleyball.
This Wonder Woman in the world of golf was competing at two major championships as an amateur and since turning professional in 2021, Maja Stark has now won twice with two crowns already in the bag.
Obviously it’s hard to draw a comparison between the DP World Tour and the LPGA European Tours and it would be absolutely crazy to do so but I’m going for some girl power here. Maja Stark to win the Scandinavian Mixed.
I could go down in history as the first golf tipster to produce a female winner on the DP World Tour, certainly hope so! Come on Maja!
Maja Stark v Linn Grant
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and Ive kept my NAP for this section. Again I’m gladly going to include Magic Maja to beat her fellow competitor on the LPGA Tour, Linn Grant over 72 holes 10/11 Nap.
Scandinavian Mixed Tips
- Alex Noren 10/1 EW Skybet
- Henrik Stenson 30/1 EW Bet365
- Maja Stark 25/1 EW Bet365
- Maja Stark to beat Linn Grant 10/11 Nap Bet365. 72 hole matchbet
Well said, Caddy, regarding the Mercenaries. You summed them up perfectly. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
DJ has made 75 million in prize money + sponsorship on top of that, but that’s obviously not enough for him and as for big Phil 👺
Anyway, as always, good luck with your tips 🤞
Thanks mate ,The big boys in football stood up & told them where to go . I was hoping the big guns in golf would have done the same but apparently not . I’ll tell you what , they might get rich quick but that’s about all they’ll get out of this . When we have so many people struggling all over the world just now ,how can they justify taking this money & more importantly, why would they even attempt to split up the amazing set up that they already have that’s basically made them all who they are or ever will be . Anyway good luck & all the best with you selections Wakeyt 🤣 🤞 ⛳️
Got an each way double on Stenson and Rose. Justin seems to be getting back to his best, his game should be suited for the Canadian Open course.
Got to agree with caddy those greedy golf mercenaries are only a bunch of players who are well on the road out and the lot of them should be banned from playing any further Ryder cups not that a lot of them would be picked anyway all of them are rotten with greed and they won’t be a loss to anyone
Well said georgie41 👏 You know what , maybe Tiger 🐅 hasn’t been the ideal role model away from the golf course but see on it , he is still the one that they’ll never emulate. He’s certainly a role model on the course & Im so so proud of Tiger for knocking back nearly $1 Billion & letting the world know he’ll never be involved in the LIV Golf set up , Tigers got morals & he won’t ever forget who it was that made his dream all possible . Respect Tiger 🐅 ⛳️
Ah morals, funny, them moral thingies.
What I don’t understand about the breakaway golfers is their statements that they are doing it for the players. That the PGA is and always has been unfair to the players. I can’t seem to find out in what exact way they consider the PGA is/has been unfair.
As regard to morals and taking Saudi money (and I may be totally wrong her), but do lots of other high profile sports not take their money. (Again apologies if I’m wrong) Football, Formula 1, Tennis for example. I believe Man Utd have a big sponsorship deal with them for one. Newcastle Utd are being taken over by Saudi money etc. Horse racing too.
I do NOT agree or like this new tour (especially as they are using a Trump course, my pet dislike) but think it’s a bit unfair that the players are being held up as moral examples. Or should I say immoral examples.
I would like to add emojis to show this is just a light hearted comment but can’t figure out how. I’m a luddite or more likely stupid. (smiley face, smiley face emojis).
Ps: Love the CT Pan tip. (thumbs up emoji)
Meghan Maclaren for the Scandie
Having an ew treble on Thomas/Noren/Na
Hear Hear davec, absolutely spot on,,well said & well thought piece my friend. 👆 It’s all about the money , money , money 💴 💴 . Sportswashing , It’s almost like most of these breakaway players look like and are acting as if they’ve been hypnotised 😵💫 & they are definitely saying weird & funny things that just don’t make sense . You are definitely on the money ( pardon the pun davec) about all this Saudi blood sport money flooding it’s way into all sports worldwide , these Saudis must all be sitting back pissing themselves laughing about how easy its been for there pocket money , loose change ti them , to dominate & have so much influence & control over sports that we have been brought up on & are so passionate about & ❤️ so much. It’s the greedy world 🌎 we live in Im afraid but like everything that’s not right , it’ll catch up with them 😉. I’ll certainly not be covering any LIV Golf events 👏Good luck with your selections this weekend davec , really enjoyed reading your post 😊 ⛳️🏌️♂️
Some interesting views on LIV. Im neither up nor down but if someone offered me 3 times my salary for less work then probably a no brainer. Theres saudi money everywhere in the majority of sports and no human rights issues mentioned. There are loads of countiies with issues where all tours have been playing so im not buying this. Competition is good for business. I love golf, i love watching golf this changes nothing for me. Great comments by davc previously we have similar thoughts.
Again , well said audioban 👏 I’d say it absolutely depends on what x3 the wage packet we are talking . For a normal hard working person I’d say give everyone x3 wage rise but when it comes to greed then I’m afraid that’s enough to put me off anyone especially when they don’t really need it , let’s be honest here .they’ve already got enough but then again what’s enough for some people All I’m hearing is lies or not honest answers from these breakaway players, that’s even if they answer 🤔 & let’s face it , these lucrative packages are only for there benefit only, it’s not exactly an attractive package for us is it . Again that’s only my opinion & it’s interesting to hear other comments . For me it’s al about the 💴 💴 💴 & it’s where’s all this money comes from that I personally find disgusting. Good luck as usual audioban my friend & thanks for the post 👍 ⛳️🏌️♂️
Great comments 👌 on here regarding livgolf Caddy, it’s going to be fascinating to see how all this pans out in the next year or so, looks like Sport is taking this path with Saudi money so it was inevitable ⛳ Golf has got involved, the press conferences said it all, I agree with Rory when you do something Just for the 💰 money it tends not to end well, moving on Rory is going well in Canada so getting my bet on him today for the open. GL 🍀 all enjoy the Golf ⛳
Got 12/1 @ Ladbrokes for Rory to win the ⛳Open.👍🍀GL
Great comments again guys. Caddy your disgusted at where the money comes from. I can tell you they’re is Saudi money in nearly everything just because it’s not highlighted? Are you disgusted with Newscastle and asking them to be thrown out the EPL? Should barclaycard where they have a big influence be banned? I could go on. I just feel the PGA are being slightly arrogant here. They’ve had the opportunity to discuss but as we are seeing there arrogance could be hugely detrimental to their brand. It’s not just all about the money as they all have loads of it. It’s about a change of life and what’s best for them and their families. Cannie fridge then that. Anyway looking forward to golf developing. Competition is good for business 👍
Watchin the Canadian Open. Awesome and showing us that the PGA tour is the best on the planet 👍