WE were close again last week in Europe with Rahm finishing 4th for our 12/1 each way bet and 5/4 in the top 10. Hatton and Olesen never really threatened.
Over in the States, Cameron Champ led going into the back nine on Sunday but again faded to finish 6th and a nice 18/1 each way and 9/4 for a top 10 finish. Defending champ Austin Cook did well to finish 11th after a disastrous 2nd Round of 73.
Anyway, on to this week…
Last week saw the end of the Race to Dubai for 2018 and this week sees the start of the Race to Dubai 2019, played in Hong Kong on the shortest course on the Tour at 6,700 yards with a Par of 70.
The headline acts this week are Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed and Tommy Fleetwood who all showed last week in Dubai the failure to see out the 72 holes. All three appear to be running on empty and need a break. They occupy the first three in the betting but value wise I will look elsewhere.
The course has very tight fairways with plenty of trees to find the misplaced drive. Being short means accuracy is a must from the tee and hitting greens-in-regulation, but this course, despite being short, is definitely not easy.
Rafa Cabrera Bello
First selection this week is Spaniard RAFA CABRERA BELLO who loves this course with two second place finishes in the last two years.
He seems to have regained his form that made him so close to a Ryder Cup place and is sure to go well
Lucas Bjerregaard
Second up this week is our friend from Denmark LUCAS BJERREGAARD who is a long hitter but his accuracy is improving and more importantly his greens-in-regulation has improved each year since 2015 and is now in the high 70’s.
If he keeps the ball in play and his putter is hot then he will be thereabouts come Sunday evening.
Shubhankar Sharma
Third pick this week is the up and coming superstar from India, SHUBHANKAR SHARMA .
The 22 year old has two tour victories to his name; the first in December of last year and the second in Febuary 2018 when he shot a final round of 62 to win the Maybank.
He showed his liking for this time of year with rounds of 66-67 last week in Dubai. But he faltered in the last round last week shooting a 80 when a top 10 finish looked a certainty. The Rookie of the Year will put up a good showing in conditions he will love.
Recommended bets
- Rafa Cabrera Bello 11/1 (Skybet) 1pt e/w
- Rafa Cabrera Bello – Top 10 Finish 10/11 (Skybet) 1pt
- Lucas Bjerregaard 16/1 (Paddy Power) 1pt e/w
- Lucas Bjerregaard – Top 10 Finish 2/1 (Betfair) 1pt
- Shubhankar Sharma 40/1 (Skybet) 1pt e/w
- Shubhankar Sharma – Top 10 Finish 9/2 (Betfair) 1pt
GOOD LUCK TO ALL
