Joburg Open Tips

The Royal Johannesburg and Kensington courses play host to the Joburg Open, a co-sanctioned event between the European Tour and South African Sunshine Tour. With over 200 players competing, two courses are used for the first two rounds.

The Course: Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club - West Course (par-71, 7,119 yards); East Course (par-71, 7,590 yards)
The West Course is relatively easy with generous fairways and large greens. The East Course, which is around 500 yards longer and much harder, is used for the final two rounds. With wiry Kikuyu rough around the greens, it is important to hit the putting surface with your irons as scrambling is very difficult.

Ross’ Top Tip: Richard Sterne @ 9 Betfair
A huge field this week but there's a lot of dead wood and I'll be surprised if the winner doesn't come from the first dozen in the betting. Of these, Sterne is a standout bet. The Praetorian is up to No.43 in the world rankings after winning his last two starts, the Dunhill Championship and South African Open and he's defending champion this week, so he's worth backing backing even at a single figure price on Betfair - I'm convinced we'll be able to lay him off at some stage to ensure a profit.

Next Best: Charl Schwartzel @ 12/1 Jenningsbet (SIX places!)
The Johannesburg native is a particular favourite of mine having landed me some nice bets when winning the Madrid Masters back in October. He's a streaky player so catching him right is the key and I reckon he's about to find top form again this week. Back him each way with Jenningsbet as they are offering six places.

Outsider: Mark Murless @ 66/1 Betfred
The in-form South African has been in good form recently on the Sunshine Tour and has rewarded each way backers in the last two renewals of this event. He's 40/1 in places, so snap up the 66/1 while it lasts.

Tournament Lay: Retief Goosen (8.8 on Betfair at the time of writing)
The former major winner has not tasted success on the European Tour since Qatar 2007 and is priced up this week on past reputation more than anything else.

Ross' Match Bet: Mark Murless to beat Maarten Lafeber @ 10/11 Betfred

In-running Notes:
Remember, the West Course is much shorter than the East Course, so scores are bound to be lower. On the East, the longest consecutive par-4’s on tour - the 518-yard 10th and 500 yard 11th – is where it can all turn around.

Recommended Bets:
Richard Sterne 2pts @ 9 Betfair
Charl Schwartzel 1pt each way @ 12/1 Jenningsbet (1/4 odds, six places)
Mark Murless 1pt each way @ 66/1 Betfred

 

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Tags: Charl Schwartzel,  European Tour,  Golf Betting,  Joburg Open,  Maarten Lafeber,  Mark Murless,  Retief Goosen,  Richard Sterne,  Royal Johannesburg