32Red’s Sponsorship manager Jack Milner delivers a weekly verdict on each tournament.
The Irish Open has proven a good pointer to eventual Claret Jug success and I expect many to be using the course at Lahinche for potential major success in a fortnight.
Links golf is an acquired taste and both UK and Irish, and Scandinavians, have a particularly strong record, with Danes Anders Hansen, Thomas Bjorn and Soren Kjeldsen all tasting success since the turn of millennium and Thorbjorn Olesen primed to extend that record this week. Olesen looked back to something like his best form last week in Germany.
Olesen shot a 61 in the final round of the tournament last year to finish T2, and almost did similar again a fortnight back, finishing with a 65 to finish T10 and I fancy his chances again this week. Olesen finished T6 in this tournament last year, bettering a T48 the previous year, and should be right at home in conditions. The Dane has already been nibbled in the market, 40/1 from 50s, but still represents value at his current price.
Another at a similar price is Eddie Pepperrell who is massive at 50/1, but is chanced to be fully fit having returning from a minor injury. Eddie Pep won the British Masters last season and player brilliantly in defence, finishing second at Southport when Marcus Kinhult shed the maiden tag on tour back in May. Pepperrell was T6 in The Open Championship last year at Carnoustie and, playing this week and next in Scotland, will be primed for another bold bid for The Claret Jug.
At bigger prices, the Spanish pair of Jorge Campillo and Alvaro Quiros look too big at 66/1 and 100/1 respectively. Campillo is a brilliant iron player who has shown form in similar conditions earlier in the season; winning in Morocco in some of the most difficult conditions sighted on tour this year. Quiros meanwhile, remains in excellent form with the flat-stick, and rewarded column readers when placed at 100/1 last week. Whilst unlikely to be fully suited on the course, he will remain dangerous with the flat-stick in it’s current form.
In America, It’s hard to fancy anyone at the top of the market in this week’s revamped tournament on the PGA Tour, and Hideki Matsuyama and Bryson Dechambeau arguably preferred over market principles Brooks Koepka and Jason Day.
I’m happy to take a chance on a few at bigger prices.
After a string of promising performances lately, I’m happy to chance the likes of Bryson Burgoon, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Schenk and Doc Redman, who acquired temporary membership after his excellent finish (2nd) last week at The Rocket Motgage last week in Detroit.
Irish Open
Thorbjorn Olesen at 40/1 with 32Red
Eddie Pepperell at 50/1 with 32Red
Jorge Campillo at 66/1 with 32Red
Alvaro Quiros at 100/1 with 32Red
3M Open
Mackenzie Hughes at 80/1 with 32Red
Bryson Burgoon at 150/1 with 32Red
Doc Redman 125/1 with 32Red
Adam Schenk at 150/1 with 32Red
