The European Tour hits South Africa this week for the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Golf Club in Mpumalanga.
The Course: Leopard Creek GC, Mpumalanga, South Africa (par-72, 7,249 yards)
Situated on the border of the Kruger National Park, this is a tough parkland course with four par-3's (5th, 7th, 12th and 16th) and four par-5's, with three of them (13th, 15th and 18th) coming in the last six holes. With plenty of water on play, it is easy to run up a big score - the Crocodile River that meanders across the course is well-named! The Bentgrass greens are usually firm, slick and very grainy.
Ross' Top Tip: Charl Schwartzel @ 10/1 bet365, Stan James
The field is made up of Sunshine Tour pros, so it is not difficult to to see one of the star names winning this week, and Schwartzel gets the nod on his course form. The South African won this event in 2004 with four sub-par rounds and has since finished runner-up twice, in 2005 and 2006. His recent game's in good nick too. After winning the Madrid Masters at the backend of last season (rewarding bettingpro followers at 22/1 in the process), he started this season with a share of sixth place in the HSBC Champions event in China, so he's got to be worth a punt at double-figure odds.
Next Best: Ross McGowan @ 50/1 Jenningsbet (1/4 odds, six places)
Both Lee Westwood (13/2 Betfred) and Rory Sabbatini (14/1 BetDirect) played well enough in last week's Nedbank Challenge to suggest they can challenge for top honours this week, but I would rather take the bigger odds on McGowan. The 2007 Challenge Tour No.2 enjoyed a fine rookie season on the main Tour with six top-10's and four top-15's, including a fifth place in this event after being tied for the lead going into the final round. I can see him at least making the frame again this week at a tasty 50/1 with Jenningsbet, whose each way terms of 1/4 odds SIX places are an added bonus.
Outsider: Damien McGrane @ 66/1 Chandler
I was surprised to see the Irishman trading at 66/1 in this relatively weak field. The 2008 Volvo China Open champion (by nine shots no less!) has already kicked off this campaign with a respectable 16th in the HSBC event and has played well here in the past - tied-8th on his debut in 2004 and tied-27th 12 months later when shooting three rounds of 70 (spoilt by a third round 76). Snap up the 66's while it lasts!
Ross' Match Bet: Charl Schwartzel to beat Rory McIlroy @ 5/6 Skybet
Recommended Bets:
Charl Schwartzel @ 2pts each way @ 10/1 bet365, Stan James
Ross McGowan 1pt each way @ 50/1 Jenningsbet (1/4 odds, SIX places)
Damien McGrane 1pt each way @ 66/1 Chandler