After the success of the World Super 6 in Perth last week the European Tour ditches match play and returns to traditional 72 hole stroke play this week for the JoBurg Open.
The concept of last week was well received and it will be interesting to see if it has sparked any life into the traditional format in South Africa.
Recent Winners
2016 – Haydn Porteous
2015 – Andy Sullivan
2014 – George Coetzee
2013 – Richard Sterne
2012 – Branden Grace
2011 – Charl Schwartzel
2010 – Charl Schwartzel
2009 – Anders Hansen
2008 – Richard Sterne
2007 – Ariel Canete
The Courses
This is another tournament where two courses are used at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Country Club in South Africa. The East Course and the West Course are the two in question with each player playing a round on each course over the first two rounds before the final two rounds are played out on the tougher East Course.
The East Course is a par 72 which measures 7,656 yards while the West is a par 71 which plays to a yardage of 7,203 yards and generally plays a shot or two easier. We’re at altitude here so the ball does fly further although there has been an incredible amount of rain in the build up to this tournament so there won’t be a lot of roll on the ball this week.
This tournament has a history of favouring the better players but I think accuracy could play much more of a factor this week given all the rain that has been around. Playing from the rough is not going to be easy.
The Field
You have to say this is a pretty weak renewal of this tournament in terms of the quality of the field. Haydn Porteous returns to defend his title but there are none of the household South African stars and hardly anyone among Europe’s finest here either.
Brandon Stone, Thomas Aiken, Jaco van Zyl and Richard Sterne are among the best that South Africa have to offer in this tournament while Thomas Detry and Jordan Smith lead the young brigade from Europe but this isn’t the strongest field.
Market Leaders
Brandon Stone is a winner on the European Tour this season and he heads the betting at 14/1 this week. He looks to be the class of the field and may well take some beating but he has never made the top 15 in this tournament which could be a concern.
George Coetze is next in the betting at 18/1. The former champion never seems to be too far away around these tracks but his form coming in could be better it must be said. There looks to be better value in the field than him.
Jaco van Zyl, Thomas Aiken and Richard Sterne are all 20/1 to win this week. They all hold different claims but can’t be ruled out and neither can Dean Burmester who is slightly bigger at 22/1. Jordan Smith is also 22/1 and it is 25/1 bar.
Main Bets
I’m going with two main bets this week. The first is a man who seemingly never misses fairways or greens in Thomas Aiken. He’s been banging the door down in recent weeks with three top five finishes on tour already this season. He has four top 10 finishes in his last five starts in this tournament so this course horse looks to be ready to go in here.
Anthony Wall has a good record in this event too and if the weather gets rough he isn’t likely to be found wanting. Wall arrives with three consecutive top 10 finishes in this tournament including a second and a third in the last two years. Wall hasn’t begun the year too well but the Desert Swing has never been too kind to him. South Africa suits him much better and I expect another decent run this week.
Outsiders
Justin Walters may not be showing the best of form at the minute but there is no disputing the fact that he likes it here with two top three finishes in his last three outings in this event. He is a player who traditionally pops up out of nowhere so at 66/1 it is worth taking the chance he does that this week.
Erik van Rooyen won on the Sunshine Tour a couple of weeks ago and that has to count for something in what is a really poor field this week. Winning brings confidence and in a tournament which the weather could turn into a lottery there is enough value in the South African to chance him this week.
Tips
Back T.Aiken to win JoBurg Open (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 with Coral (1/5 1-7)
Back him here:
Back A.Wall to win JoBurg Open (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 34.00 with Skybet (1/4 1-6)
Back E.Van Rooyen to win JoBurg Open (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 91.00 with Skybet (1/4 1-6)
Back them here:
Back J.Walters to win JoBurg Open (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 67.00 with Paddy Power (1/5 1-7)
Back him here:
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