Poulter the value on the European Tour

The Open de France is the oldest Golf Open in Continental Europe and has been running since 1906. The course at Le Golf National (just outside of Paris) has been the venue since 1991 (though not in 99 and 01) and will host the 2018 Ryder Cup. This then might explain the presence of a number of big names such as Luke Donald and Matt Kuchar, well that or the half a million Euros on offer to the winner.

Martin Kaymer has a great record having won here in 2009, coming tied sixth in 2010 and fourth in 2011. Bookmakers have him as the 14/1 (GENERAL) joint favourite. The German clearly loves the course and has to be respected especially as he recently came tied fourth at the BMW Championship. I respect Kaymer but other players appeal at a bigger price. Luke Donald is also a 14/1 (GENERAL) chance and I can not be getting involved at this price. The Englishman was tied eighth at the US Open that was the only time in his last five events that he finished in the top 20. Donald has only played here once and finished 11th.

Matt Kuchar is an 18/1 (paddy Power/CORAL) chance and could go well if showing the form ahead of the US Open where he came second at crowne Plaza before winning the Memorial. The American has two top ten finishes from his last three starts on European soil. Matteo Manassero and Ian Poulter are 25/1 (GENERAL) chances for the tournament. The Italian is strong with the putter which is important here has the last four champions have all ranked in the top 12 stats of GIR (Greens in Regulation). His form has been decent with a tied 22nd in the BMW International and a win in the BMW PGA Championship back in May. His course form is just average though with no finish in the top 15 on three previous appearances.

Ian Poulter is the headline section as he has a good record with three top fours and a ninth in the last six years and has the lowest stroke average here over the last four years. The Englishman has been in and out form but odds of 25/1 (GENERAL) each-way appeal. Speaking of each-way you should consider the fact that sportingbet, BETVICTOR and stanjames are all paying out six places on this tournament which is why the recommendation with Poulter is to back him at sportingbet/BETVICTOR.

Francesco Molinari is a 28/1 (GENERAL) chance and the player is another who loves the course having finished as runner up in two of the last three years including a one shot loss to Marcel Siem last year. The Italian has recent top ten finishes to his name in the BMW PGA Championship and the Volvo World Match Play Championship.

The second name to the portfolio is Alexander Noren who is in excellent form with four top ten finishes from his last six starts which includes tied fourths in his last two. The Swede has shown marked improvement on his last two visits to the course suggesting he is starting to get to grips with it. His finish of 15th last year can be built upon and he looks each-way value at 33/1 (BETVICTOR).

The final name on the list at a much bigger price is Simon Thornton who won in France in June on the tour and was 18th in the Irish Open last week. Thornton ranked second in scrambling at that event which could prove crucial here as four of the first six players home in 2012 ranked in the top six for scrambling. Thornton is 18/1 (paddy Power/STAN JAMES/SPREADEX) a top ten finish which looks well worth an interest.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Ian Poulter EW in the Open de France, 25/1 (sportingbet/BETVICTOR)
SILVER: Alexander Noren EW in the Open de France, 33/1 (BETVICTOR)
BRONZE: Simon Thornton to finish in the top ten, 18/1 (paddy power/STAN JAMES/SPREADEX)

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04/07/2013     © Frixo 2026