The Firethorn Course at the Randpark Golf Club plays host to this week’s Joburg Open, the first event on the newly renamed DP World Tour.
Firethorn a par 71 is the tougher of the two Randpark courses and is certainly a good challenge of golf with length definitely an asset but at the same time there are some tough holes with some challenging rough.
Last year young, big hitting South African, Wilco Nienaber came very close to winning, but was ultimately pipped to the title by J.B. Hansen.
In form South African, Dean Burmester heads the betting at 9/1, with Dylan Frittelli 18/1, Johannes Veerman and Romain Langasque are 22/1 and Wilco Nienaber is 25/1 to go one better than his finish last year.
Burmester looks a worthy favourite given his form in recent weeks, but he hasn’t performed particularly well in this event or at this course and I am going to try and take him on this week. Dylan Frittelli, the second favourite has also been battling for form and I am going to be looking a bit further down the betting boards for action.
PAST WINNERS
2020 – Joachim B. Hansen -19
2019 – No Tournament
2018 – No Tournament
2017 – Shubhankar Sharma -23 (December)
2017 – Darren Fichardt -15 (February)
2016 – Haydn Porteous -18
BETTING – Click here to bet
Dean Burmester 9/1
Dylan Frittelli 18/1
Johannes Veerman 22/1
Romain Langasque 22/1
Wilco Nienaber 25/1
28/1 and better the balance
SELECTIONS
Wilco Nienaber each way at 25/1
I didn’t have my money on him last year, but I was pulling for Wilco Nienaber down the stretch and I noted him down as a future super star based on his easy swing and prodigious distance off the tee. If I am honest he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, but he has put in some good performances in recent weeks and at a course he clearly enjoys I am happy to have him on my side at 25/1.
Shaun Norris each way at 28/1
Norris has put in some consistent performances in recent weeks and he had a third place finish in this event last year which catches the eye.
Brandon Stone each way at 30/1
Stone has been battling a bit for form this year, but he always goes well in South Africa and finished 4th here last year despite coming off a long break. It is not often you get 30/1 about Stone when playing in his home country and I am looking for a big performance from him this week.
Bryce Easton each way at 80/1
While I have left the outright favourites from the staking plan, I have included 3 players all towards the top of the betting boards, it is time to look further down and Easton is my roughie this week. He had a Top 10 finish on the European Tour a few weeks ago and last year showed he likes the course with an impressive 7th place finish.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
