The European Tour stays in China this week for the last event in Asia until the end of the year. After a successful Shenzhen International last week it is time for the Volvo China Open from Beijing.
A number of leading players from Europe, Africa and Asia are all teeing it up this week in what should be a decent week of golf with plenty of birdies and low scores on show.
Recent Winners
2016 – Haotong Li
2015 – Ashun Wu
2014 – Alex Levy
2013 – Brett Rumford
2012 – Branden Grace
2011 – Nicolas Colsaerts
2010 – Y E Yang
2009 – Scott Strange
2008 – Damien McGrane
2007 – Markus Brier
The Course
We are at Topwin Golf and Country Club for the second season in succession this week. As evidenced by the fact -22 won last year and over half the holes played well under par it isn’t the toughest test of golf in the world so picking a player who can score is essential this week.
The course, which is a par 72 and measures 7,261 yards is overlooked by the Great Wall of China so the views will be great. Some fairways are wide and some are tighter but the undulating greens makes scoring simpler if players find the right portion of the greens. We’re looking for good greens in regulation hitters with some touch on the greens.
The Field
Last week’s first and third are in the field this week. Bernd Wiesberger and Ross Fisher have made the short journey to compete once again whole Haotong Li is here to defend his title. Former champions Alex Levy, Brett Rumford, Ashun Wu and Nicolas Colsaerts are also here to have another crack at the title.
Market Leaders
After winning last week Bernd Wiesberger is the 11/1 favourite for back to back successes. The man who was a shot back in third last week in Ross Fisher is the second favourite to contend in Asia again. He is a point bigger at 12/1.
The former champion Alex Levy is next in the betting at 22/1 after a fast end in Shenzhen last week with Joost Luiten slightly bigger at 25/1. Peter Uihlein, Jordan Smith and Fabrizio Zanotti are all 28/1 and it is 30/1 bar those named.
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Main Bets
I’m going with three main bets this week and they are all on form horses which I think is important given the need to score. The first player is George Coetzee who is back in good form after a period of battling injuries and a loss of form. Coetzee has four top 11 finishes in his last six events and he was on course for another until he ran into rough conditions so he’s hitting the ball really well. Coetzee’s long game was in great order last week as was his putting so he’s a leading player here.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat had a terrible start last week but he recovered to finish just outside the top 20 and if he can start better here he should be in for a really big week. That is now four top 25 finishes for the big Thai this season and given how good his long game was last week I don’t think it is beyond Aphibarnrat to contend this week.
Brett Rumford has twice won in Asia on the European Tour and he has already won this season too so he is a leading player for me this week. He was the best putter in the field last week which gives him every chance of contending here especially if he can make the necessary tweaks to his long game. Knowing he is putting well and carrying the confidence of the win in Perth are big things and I fancy the Australian to be there or thereabouts come Sunday.
Outsiders
Two outsiders for me this week. I’ve backed them both before this season but they are a nice enough price to go in again here. The first is Phachara Khongwatmai who Rumford beat in the final in Perth. The young Thai is a very good scorer who has all the tools to do well in an event like this. He is solid and powerful off the tee and he can hole putts as we saw in Perth. If he can put four rounds together he shouldn’t be far away.
Carlos Pigem was my pick in the Trophee Hassan II a couple of weeks ago and he registered a big finish for a top 10 finish there. That was his third of the season and he has had a top 15 in Hong Kong too so he is hitting the ball nicely. If he can get the putts to the hole he should be able to deliver a big week on a course that suits too.
Tips
Back G.Coetzee to win Volvo China Open (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 29.00 with Boylesports (1/5 1-6)
Back K.Aphibarnrat to win Volvo China Open (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 31.00 with Boylesports (1/5 1-6)
Back them here:
Back B.Rumford to win Volvo China Open (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 51.00 with Ladbrokes (1/5 1-7)
Back P.Khongwatmai to win Volvo China Open (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 81.00 with Ladbrokes (1/5 1-7)
Back C.Pigem to win Volvo China Open (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 101.00 with Ladbrokes (1/5 1-7)
Back them here:
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