The European Tour get all innovative again this weekend when the inaugural GolfSixes tournament is played out in Hertfordshire, England. 16 countries will compete in the tournament with each represented by two men in a six hole matchplay tournament with plenty of twists.
The Format
The 16 nations are split into groups of four with the round robin being played in a busy Saturday. The top two from each group progress to the knockout stages on Sunday where the quarter finals, semi-finals and final are played out to conclude the tournament.
Each match over the course of the event is six hole matchplay in the greensomes format. In the matches teams will score a point for each hole that they win and at the end of the match the team with the most points will win that match. Teams get three points for a win and a point each for a draw.
The Holes
The tournament takes place over six holes at the Centurion Club just outside St Albans. Each hole has a different theme to it. Here are the holes in use this week.
Hole 1 – 166 yard par 3 where the players arrive onto the tee with walk out songs and pyrotechnics going off.
Hole 2 – 476 yard par 4 where there will be a donation to charity and giveaways for the crowds with each birdie that is made here.
Hole 3 – 516 yard par 5 where there will be a long drive competition throughout the weekend.
Hole 4 – 436 yard par 4 which will have a 40 second shot clock in play throughout the tournament.
Hole 5 – 136 yard par 3 where it will be all about getting nearest to the pin.
Hole 6 – 546 yard par 5 closing hole where the live post-match interviews will take place and any play-offs will ensue.
Market Leaders
Home nation England head into the tournament as the 11/2 favourites to win. Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood will represent England in the event and in terms of world rankings and established professionals they rate as the leading chance.
The France pair of Gregory Bourdy and Alex Levy are the second favourites to land the tournament at 8/1 with Thailand duo Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee a point bigger at 9/1. Thorbjorn Olesen and Lucas Bjerregaard will represent Denmark and they are 10/1. It is 11/1 bar that quartet.
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Betting
I’m not going to get too involved in this tournament but I can’t resist a couple of cheeky punts to see us through the weekend. I don’t know if there is an ideal profile for this event, I suspect there isn’t but we need to use something to whittle the 16 teams down. Given the format is greensomes it might be worth looking at teams who have a solid tee to green player and a bigger hitter but as it is match play putting has to be key.
My main bet is going to be Thailand. I’m not sure if over six holes the match play credentials of Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat counts for a lot but at least it is there. Jaidee is a very solid player both off the tee and feeding off any lengthy drives from Aphibarnrat so they should gel quite nicely. They have a group which they should escape from and at 9/1 I fancy them to go deep this weekend.
The other side who catch my eye with that profile that I am using is Italy. Matteo Manassero would be the solid and reliable one in that pairing and Renato Paratore should get free rein to let it rip off the tee which can form a dangerous pairing. Both men are young enough to lap up the innovations that are in play in this tournament and at 16/1 they should be capable of a decent weekend.
Tips
Back Thailand to win GolfSixes (e/w) for a 2/10 stake at 10.00 with NetBet (1/2 1-2)
Back them here:
Back Italy to win GolfSixes (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 with Coral (1/2 1-2)
Back them here:
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