After a dramatic Saturday at the Paul Lawrie Matchplay we’re down to the final four heading into Sunday where the semi-finals, 3rd/4th playoff and the final will be played on another busy day of golf on the Scottish links.
Saturday saw us lose the likes of Chris Wood, Richie Ramsay, Tyrell Hatton and Nicolas Colsaerts but we are left with the four best players of the week so far and they are sure to put on a good show to conclude the tournament.
Sadly all my remaining outrights bit the dust on Saturday. Wood progressed to the quarter final and would have secured the place part of the bet had he beaten David Howell but after taking an early lead he fell apart. Tyrell Hatton safely brought in Saturday’s match bet before he exited the tournament though.
All of that has left Marc Warren as the 9/4 favourite to win the tournament from here. He takes on Kiradech Aphibarnrat in the semi-final with the Thai a 4/1 shot to win the event. The other semi sees David Howell, now 5/2 to win the competition taking on Robert Karlsson who is a 7/2 shot.
There aren’t many matches to go at on Sunday but I do like the way the first semi-final has been priced up. I accept David Howell has got a good pedigree both for links golf and matchplay but I fancy Karlsson to see him off here.
Howell was largely handed his quarter final against Chris Wood with Wood falling apart after he took a 2up lead on the fourth hole. Howell is a wizard on the greens but he hasn’t really been tested this week yet which might not be an advantage should this one go close.
Robert Karlsson was majestic on Saturday. He beat Johan Carlsson 4&3 in the last 16 and was five under par for the 15 holes he played and then against Richie Ramsay in the quarter final he was four under for the 18 holes he played there. That’s up there with the best form of the week so the Swede looks a big price at 6/4 in his Sunday semi-final.
In the other semi Marc Warren is probably a worthy favourite but I never find him an easy player to work out. He’s as capable of brilliance just as easily as he is capable of inconsistency. Kiradech Aphibarnrat looked dead and buried against Michael Hoey in the quarter final but three bogeys in four holes from the Northern Irishman cost him badly. I’d expect Warren to win but it’s a no bet for me.
Back R.Karlsson to beat D.Howell for a 4/10 stake at 2.50 with BetVictor
