The Investec South African Open takes place at the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate this week and we select 4 players to take on the bookmakers.
This event will once again be sanctioned by the DP World Tour having had that status withdrawn last year due to travel restrictions as a result of COVID.
This will be the first time that Blair Atholl has staged a National Open and the first Sunshine Tour event here was only played in October 2021. The course was designed by Gary Player and it plays long with water a factor on more than 50% of the holes.
This isn’t the strongest field and looking at the betting, Dean Burmester is the current favourite at 12/1 with Branden Grace 14/1, Thriston Lawrence 18/1 and you can get 20/1 about Charl Schwartzel and 22/1 and better the balance.
PAST WINNERS (different courses)
2021 – Daniel van Tonder -16
2020 (Jan) – Branden Grace -21
2020 (Dec) – Christiaan Bezuidenhout -18
2019 – No tournament due to rescheduling from December to January
2018 (Jan) – Chris Paisley -21
2018 (Dec) – Louis Oosthuizen -18
BETTING – Click here to bet
Dean Burmester 12/1
Branden Grace 14/1
Thriston Lawrence 18/1
Charles Schwartzel 20/1
George Coetzee 22/1
25/1 and better the balance, all prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
SELECTIONS
Thriston Lawrence each way at 18/1
Lawrence was a bit disappointing last week when he faded after a strong start in defence of his Joburg Open Title. He ended up finishing 33rd, but showed enough over the 4 rounds to suggest he can contend this week. He also has course experience and was 6th here in 2021.
Romain Langasque each way at 25/1
Langasque was well in contention at stages last week, but ended up finishing 9th in the Joburg Open. He has been consistent of late with 3 Top 30 finishes in a row and in a field that isn’t the strongest I think he can go close this week.
Ross Fisher each way at 45/1
Fisher was last in action at the Nedbank Challenge where he finished in the Top 20 and continued his good record at Sun City. He is a player who looks to be coming to hand after a couple of quiet seasons and I am happy to have him on my staking plan this week.
JBE Kruger each way at 160/1
We were on Kruger at over 200/1 last week and at one stage he was showing up towards the top of the betting boards. He ended up failing to finish just inside the Top 25, but had some good recent form on the Japanese tour and hopefully he can string 4 rounds together this weekend.
Click here for all of the Betting Markets on the Investec South African Open
