The European Tour heads to the sunshine this week at Meloneras Golf course for the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open, Gran Canaria, Spain.
The 156 field will be competing on the par 70 parkland course for the $1.5million prize money with the winner collecting $237,750.
The weather is forecast to be very warm and sunny throughout with calmer conditions in the mornings and breezes picking up in the afternoons.
The key attribute this week in Gran Canaria will be accuracy around this stunning shorter track with a few of the par 4s reachable from the tee, if hitting the target.
Last week on the European Tour, John Catlin won the Austrian Golf Open to make it his third victory on the Tour. My value pick at this event was Wil Besseling at 55/1 Each Way and he didn’t disappoint, finishing in 4th place to collect some decent place money, I know a few of you were on my selection so well done to you all.
This event will be screened live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf with coverage starting at 2pm GMT tomorrow but be sure to have any pre tournament bets placed before 8am in the morning.
Antoine Rozner
So let’s have a look at some selections, for my main pick this week I’m going to suggest a player I advised would win the Qatar Masters and he didn’t disappoint on that occasion winning at a recommended 28/1. Antoine Rozner is currently available at 16/1 EW Bet365 and is a golfer I admire and have tremendous respect for, he has a bright future ahead.
The 28 year old Frenchman currently ranked 68th in the world made a rare appearance in America last time out at the WGC Dell Matchplay finishing 18th. He won the Qatar Masters at his previous event and also won the Golf in Dubai Championship back in December.
In his eight previous tournaments he has finished inside the Top 20 on no less than six occasions. He is certainly a player in form and a model of consistency. Without being disrespectful, it most certainly opens the door for a top ranked golfer to win on the European Tour and I can only see Rozner showing this field once again he is a class above with another victory in Gran Canaria this weekend.
Sam Horsfield
For my next selection I’m going to suggest a golfer I picked last week in Austria, Sam Horsfield 18/1 EW Bet365.
With more than a few of these greens reachable from the tee this week, Horsfield has the power to give him an advantage if accurate. Last week at the Austrian Golf Open, the Englishman got off to a slow start in the cold conditions but as the weather improved so did his game. He finished the weekend in impressive style shooting 69 on the Saturday and carding an even better 67 on Sunday’s final round.
He has had to make some adjustments after returning from a back injury but it seems to be all coming together again. He will feel he should have done much better than 15th place in Austria last week after two disappointing rounds on Thursday and Friday.
The young 24 year old Englishman already has two victories to his name on the European Tour, winning the Celtic Classic and the Hero Open, both last year.
If he comes to Spain playing how he did leaving Austria, with warmer conditions to suit, then Horsfield will be a major contender at this event and will be there or thereabouts at the final round on Sunday afternoon.
Andy Sullivan
For my next suggestion I’m going to include Andy Sullivan 22/1 EW Betfair.
The 34 year old Englishman led the European Tour in strokes gained approach play last season and has the best birdie averages in this field.
He is aiming for a Top 50 place in the rankings for an invite to the US Open so will come here with plenty to play for.
Last time out at the WGC Dell Matchplay both Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler couldn’t find a way to beat him, both who are in form on the PGA Tour just now.
Sullivan has only missed the cut at one event since the European Tour resumed last summer. He won the English Championship and was runner up at the Golf in Dubai Championship while also finishing in 3rd place at the BMW PGA Championship.
I just feel that players like Sullivan are far better equipped than most on this Tour and he can use his expertise and experience to his advantage. I can see Sullivan contending once again this week, possibly with another victory to his tally on the European Tour and that invite to the US Open becoming more a realistic.
Antoine Rozner to beat Matthias Schwab
For my final pick I’m going to single out my main selection Antoine Rozner to beat Matthias Schwab in a 72 hole matchbet 9/10 Nap Betfair.
