This high-profile tournament is the last stop for the European Tour bandwagon before next week’s Ryder Cup. With no US Tour event this week, it has attracted several Ryder Cuppers and a smattering of PGA Tour stalwarts.
The Course: Gut Larchenhof, Cologne, Germany (par-72, 7,289 yards)
This Jack Nicklaus-designed course opened in 1996, and has been used for this event since 1998 – meaning there’s plenty of course form to go on. It is a resort style course which, despite being toughened up in recent years, offers plenty of birdie / eagle opportunities, so expect scoring to be low. The par-5’s are the 3rd, 7th (the longest at 583 yards), 13th and 15th.
Ross’ Top Tip: Darren Clarke @ 25/1 William Hill
Having missed out on a Ryder Cup wild card, the Ulsterman will want to go out and prove a point this week, which makes him a player to have on your side. He must have thought that his four-shot victory in the Dutch Open, which followed on from an excellent sixth in the high-class Bridgestone Invitational, would have been enough to secure a place – but it wasn’t. He can remind us all of his talents on a course he finished fifth on in 2003.
Next Best: Michael Campbell @ 33/1 bet365
I’ve tipped up the Maori ace for the last two weeks, and it was only a couple of careless double bogeys in round one which stopped him contending at Crans last time (finished 23rd). Previously, he had recorded successive top-10 efforts for the first time in five years, so I’m sticking with him this week in the hope that he can repeat his Gut Larcehnhof triumph of 2000.
Outsider: David Howell @ 40/1 @ Blue Square
I wouldn't be surprised to see Bernhard Langer (40/1 Betfred) go well in his bid to win this event for the fifth time. He’s coming off the back of his first Seniors Tour title and knows every blade of grass around here, but slight preference is for Englishman Howell, who has finally found some form of late and loves this course. He’s 17 under for his last six rounds and has finished sixth and eighth in two of his last three starts in this event.
Tournament Lay (Betfair): Robert Karlsson
The Swede is trading surprisingly short in the betting considering he hasn’t played since the SAS Masters (where he finished 73rd) due to a neck injury, and has no worthwhile form at this track.
Ross’ 72-Hole Match Bet: Miguel Angel Jimenez to beat Robert Karlsson @ 10/11 Skybet
Recommended Bets:
Darren Clarke 1pt each way @ 25/1 William Hill
Michael Campbell 1pt each way @ 33/1 bet365
David Howell 1pt each way @ 40/1 Blue Square