The Caddy provided us with a winning NAP at he US Open last weekend, he's back with another match bet and his best outright options for the Irish Open.
AFTER all the excitement at Winged Foot last week it’s back to basics with the European Tour featuring The Irish Open at Galgorm Castle resort, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
The field will be without a few big names including defending Champion John Rahm who pulled out along with Rory McIlroy due to this event being rescheduled from from its original venue, Mount Juliet back in May.
Congratulations to Bryson DeChambeau on winning his first major in impressive style. I’ve got a feeling there will be many more to follow for the hard-hitting American. He came out of lockdown looking like the Hulk with a completely new approach to the game and it’s made many rethink, including the USPGA who are already concerned on how to tame his aggressive golf style.
My Nap last week was Lous Oosthuizen to beat Brandon Todd in a 72 hole match bet and the South African dually obliged at 10/11. I said he would turn up with his A-game and he certainly proved that finishing 3rd and in contention until DeChambeau pulled away on the final few holes.
Well done to everyone who backed a winner last weekend, especially those who followed my NAP!
I am going to focus on the Irish Open this weekend and with all the big guns missing it leaves the door open for all the 120 contenders.
Shane Lowry
The Par 72 parkland course in Ballymena is a fantastic venue with Shane Lowry heading the field and he starts favourite to win come Sunday. Playing on home soil, if the Irishman turns up with the kind of golf he’s capable of then surely he must be a worthy favourite?
George Coetzee
Another noticeable player bringing stand-out form into this event is George Coetzee. The South African just seems to be doing nothing wrong on the European Tour lately, winning the Portugal Masters and The Titleist Championship respectively whilst having seven top 10 finishes in his last eight events.
I wouldn’t be surprised if both these players were amongst the contenders come Sunday but again I’m going to look for value especially with most of the big names missing.
Joakin Lagergren
One player I like the look of is Joakin Lagergren at 40/1 Paddy Power. The Swede won his only Challenge Tour title on this course. He brings good form and seems to like this course layout. He managed 3rd place in the Portugal Masters and carded a final round 65 in testing weather conditions which are again forecast for this weekend.
Aaron Rai
Another to consider is Aaron Rai at a best price 50/1 with various firms. Rai has a preference for parkland courses and has been in good form, making the cut in all six appearances since lockdown, the best of those a respectable 10th at the Hero Open.
Laurie Canter v Justin Harding
My final selection is again a 72 hole match bet between Laurie Canter (NAP) to get the better of Justin Harding.
Canter is another who’s been in excellent form of late, finishing 2nd in the Portugal Masters, just falling short by a couple of shots. Before that he was 13th at the Belfry and an even better top 5 finish at Celtic Manor. He definitely has the measure of Justin Harding.
Recommended Bets
- Shane Lowry or George Coetzee to win Irish Open 5/1 (Ladbrokes)
- Joakim Lagergren 40/1 each-way (Paddy Power)
- Aaron Rai 50/1 each-way (Boylesports)
- Laurie Canter to beat Justin Harding – 72 hole match bet 10/11 (Betfair) NAP
In December 2020 we sadly 
