Nedbank Golf Challenge Preview

Golfers are a little like Santa Claus (and I don’t just mean the big stomachs on some of them) the nearer Christmas approaches the more work they seem to have.

Despite the end of the season in Europe and the US the action continues with the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City playing host to the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Lee Westwood is the deserved 9/2 (sportingbet/BWin) favourite to win an event that he has won in the last two years and at a course where he hit a stunning 62 (not quite the course record but the 61 for Harrington had much kinder lies and differing tee placings). I could not put anyone off backing Westwood however for me the price is just a little on the short side.

The stats suggest that the winner of this event will be someone who has played the course a couple of times before. All of the last ten champions had played the course more than twice previously which means we can cut the field down to just four players. One of whom is the previously mentioned Lee Westwood. Justin Rose is another who merits consideration at 5/1 (BWin) and will relish the chance to perform in South Africa where he grew up especially as he looks in great form. The downside on Rose though is in his last two appearances here he has struggled. Charl Schwartzel is another who has played here many times though he has produced some questionable form in pro-am appearances and offers no appeal at 71/10 (pinnacle). Instead I like the look of fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen at 23/5 (pinnacle) the win or 9/2 (general) for those looking to play it each-way. Oosthuizen has great recent form finishing top six in all of his last five events and won the Dimension Data event in 2010 here. He seems to thrive when playing in his home country and looks the one to side with here.

Those not sunning themselves in Sun City find themselves slumming it in California (the shame). Sherwood Country Club is the home for the 13th staging of the World Challenge.

The favourite is the 2011 winner Tiger Woods who is a best priced 14/5 (You Win/pinnacle) the win or those looking for an EW option can get him at 11/4 (general). Woods is a deserved favourite as his record here reads five wins from nine visits. The course seems to suit Tiger and he will be the one people need to beat. That being said I’m not getting involved in Woods at that short a price and instead will look elsewhere for value.

The first selection is Zach Johnson EW at 18/1 (Stan James). The American has played here four times previously and has two runners-up finishes, a fifth and a ninth. Johnson ended the US PGA season in style with top ten finishes in each of his last four events and on a short course his driving should present him with plenty of birdie opportunities.

Another with history on the course is Graeme McDowell who won this event in 2010. GMAC also finished second on his only other visit so this venue certainly plays into his strenghts. The 28/1 (Stan James/Coral) on the Northern Irishman looks good value on a course that suits his style of play.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Louis Oosthuizen to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge, 23/5 (Pinnacle)
SILVER: Zach Johnson EW in the World Challenge, 18/1 (Stan James, 1/5 1,2,3,4)
BRONZE: Graeme McDowell EW in the World Challenge, 28/1 (Stan James/Coral).

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28/11/2012     © Frixo 2024