The European Tour remains in Spain for the third week running with the Mallorca Golf Open at Golf Santa Ponsa, Mallorca.
The 120 field will all be competing around this par 72 parkland track for the €1M purse with the winner collecting the title and €147,370.
This Golf Santa Ponsa course hasn’t been included on the European Tour for 23 years but previous winners around here include the legendary Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
This track will be a big hitter's paradise with plenty birdie opportunities so expect a low winning scorecard.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm throughout with temperatures in the mid 20’s.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 12.30 pm GMT on Thursday.
Pablo Larrazabal
For my first and main selection at the Mallorca Golf Open this week I’m going to single out Pablo Larrazabal 33/1 EW Bet365.
The 38yr old from Barcelona already has five European crowns to his name and can win another in what can only be described as a low key affair in Mallorca.
In his last two events, both in Spain over the past two weeks, he has finished inside the Top 20 at the Open de Espana and the Andalucia Masters. That’s form worth noting coming into this event especially with a host of bigger names on the European Tour missing out this week.
Larrazabal was also 12th at the Tenerife Open earlier in the year so clearly enjoys playing golf in his homeland.
The Spaniard has three Top 5 finishes playing at events in Spain and was recently 8th at the Italian Open. I think the 33/1 on offer is fairly generous with just the place money representing decent value.
Adri Arnaus
For my next selection I’m liking the look of Adri Arnaus 25/1 EW Bet365.
Another Spaniard from Barcelona, at 27 yrs old Arnaus is still looking for that elusive maiden European Title and the door may be wide open this week in Mallorca.
Some events present better or easier opportunities than others and this week's Mallorca Golf Open falls into that category. Arnaus has been in good form recently with a runners-up finish a fortnight ago at the Open de Espana in Madrid when losing in the play- off where I also advised him each way, 12th at the Italian Open and 24th at the Alfred Dunhill Cup.
In recent events in his homeland Arnaus has finished 4th in Gran Canaria and 8th in Tenerife. All this suggests to me that Arnaus is getting ever closer to being crowned a European champion and it could well be this weekend in the sunshine at the Mallorca Golf Open.
Ryan Fox
For my next suggestion I’m going to advise Ryan Fox 22/1 EW Betfair. The 34yr old from Auckland, New Zealand played some excellent golf last weekend on his way to 4th place at the Andalucia Masters.
Fox is a big hitter and holds all the credentials to win on a track like this. He adores playing golf on these sea side tracks.
Fox has won a few events on the Challenge Tour but is another looking for that maiden European title. He has come close on a few occasions most notably 2nd at the Irish Open and as mentioned previously, this week is as good an opportunity as any for these players looking for a victory on the European Tour.
With his iron play improving and his ever-reliable driver then Fox could well be on his way to a victory this weekend at the 22/1 could look huge come Sunday afternoon.
Richie Ramsay to beat Michael Lorenzo-Vera
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and I’m going to advise Richie Ramsay to beat Michael Lorenzo-Vera over the 72 holes.
On these 😉
In case anyone finds this useful, William Hill & Ladbrokes consistently seem to offer good prices for golf – as well as paying out on the first 7 places for EW bets.
Fingers crossed for another great weekend 😄