The South African Open takes place at the Gary Player designed Sun City course this week and we take a look at the event from a betting angle.
Sun City is a massively long course, but due to the altitude the ball does fly that bit further. The fairways are generous, but if you do stray off you can find yourself in big trouble and there are places on the golf course where you would rather accept a lost ball than go in and look for it. This will be the first time that Sun City has hosted the South African Open.
Last week’s winner, Christiaan Bezuidenhout is the 15/2 favourite with Dylan Frittelli priced at 10/1, big hitting youngster, Wilco Nienaber is 14/1 and you can get 16/1 and better the balance.
PAST WINNERS (Different Venues)
2020 (February) – Branden Grace -21
2019 – Louis Oosthuizen -18
2018 – Chris Paisley -21
2017 – Graeme Storm -18*
2016 – Brandon Stone -14
Playoff*
Betting: Click here to bet
Christiaan Bezuidenhout 15/2
Dylan Frittelli 10/1
Wilco Nienaber 14/1
Brandon Stone 16/1
Matthias Schwab 16/1
Joost Luiten 20/1
28/1 and better the balance, prices correct at the time of posting but are subject to change
Selections
Wilco Nienaber each way at 14/1
Nienaber would have been very disappointed to narrowly miss out on winning the Joburg Open two weeks ago and it would have been understandable if he had put in a poor show at the Alfred Dunhill last week, that wasn’t the case though and while he didn’t contend he still finished in the Top 15 and while I cannot find any Sun City Tournament form for him, his game should be well suited with his distance off the tee an asset as long as he doesn’t spray around wildly.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout each way at 15/2
Bezuidenhout was 15th in the Joburg Open, but had travelled back from the US Masters that week and then he came out and won at Leopard Creek last week, showing that he is back in form. He was a Top 25 here in the Nedbank Challenge last year and in this field I am prepared to take the single figure price.
Daniel van Tonder each way at 33/1
Van Tonder is a past winner at Sun City all be it on the Sunshine Tour. He has been a bit off form the last couple of weeks making the cut, but not threatening the Top 25, however at a course he clearly loves I will have him on side this week.
Neil Schietekat each way at 100/1
My other 3 selections are all up towards the top of the betting board and it is time to throw in a long shot and Schietekat looks like someone with prospects. He missed the cut last week but prior to that had 3 Top 25’s in a row including a runner-up finish. His Sunshine Tour record at the Gary Player Country Club is excellent with a victory, a Top 5, a Top 10 and a Top 20 in his last 4 starts.
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