Written by Matt Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The ISPS Handa Perth International | 25 February – 28 February | Lake Karinnyup
This week the ISPS Handa Perth International tees off at Lake Karrinyup and after the struggle that was the Maybank Malaysian Open, I’m sure we’re all hoping for better luck this time around.
This is the fourth year in a row that this course has hosted the event so a lot is know about the layout and there shouldn’t be too many surprises thrown our way. Located deep in the Australian bush, there are a lot of trees lining the fairways and mishit shots are always punished severely. Things are made even more difficult when you consider that the course is built around a lake and on a majority of holes the water comes into play. Well placed bunkers also lie waiting to trap poor approaches so a good short game will be vital in going low.
Notwithstanding all of this, traditionally scores have been low here so the course does reward good play. The bookies have seen fit to price Louis Oosthuizen up as favourite but I have the feeling that the value lies elsewhere, let’s see if we can find it.
To Win Outright
Louis Oosthuizen: 8/1
Victor Dubuisson: 14/1
Brett Rumford: 20/1
Thorbjorn Olesen: 20/1
Marcus Fraser: 28/1
VALUE BETS
Brett Rumford (20/1 a win & 44/10 a place)
Brett Rumford will arrive in Perth confident that he can outplay the field on a course that he will know better than most. Having grown up in Australia, he will be used to the conditions encountered here and I’m hoping that he improves on the Top 10 finish he managed in the Tshwane Open a few weeks ago. Year after year Rumford finds himself near the top in this event and I have the feeling this could be the year he walks away the winner.
Thorbjorn Olesen (20/1 a win & 44/10 a place)
Thorbjorn Olesen is another player who finds himself near the top of the betting and considering that he is the defending champion that comes as little surprise. He is also in great form at the moment and has already come close to winning a few times this season. Last year the course seemed to suit Olesen’s game perfectly and with his game looking to be in good shape I’m expecting much of the same this time around. Each way is the bet for me.
Victor Dubuisson (14/1 a win & 31/10 a place)
Last year Dubuisson was narrowly edged out by Olesen and although I have the feeling that Olesen will more than likely one up him again this time around, the Frenchman can’t be ignored on a course that suits his game to a tee. He’s one of the best scramblers on the European Tour and over the years we’ve seen him make some remarkable sand saves, a talent that will no doubt come in handy this week. He is also deadly accurate with his irons and should make more birdies than most. The price is a bit short for my liking but I feel like Dubuisson has a real chance this week, each way is my pick here.
TOP BET:
Peter Uihlein (50/1 a win & 11/1 a place)
Peter Uihlein got the year off to a slow start but last week he looked to be getting back to his best on his way to a Top 10 finish in Malaysia. His iron game looked to be in great shape there and if he carries that through to this week he should play well on a course that he claims to enjoy. His best finish here has been 9th but this week the competition isn’t too stiff so expect him to improve on that. I’ll be backing Uihlein each way.
