Written by @Matt_Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The Tshwane Open | Wednesday 27 February – Sunday 02 March | The Els Club at Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate
This week marks the end of the South African tournaments for the time being, but golfing fans across the country can hardly complain, having been treated to eight tournaments on South African shores over the past three months. Fans would have thoroughly enjoyed the majority of these and this week things will certainly finish with a bang, as play will commence on the longest course ever to be used in the history of the European Tour. Measuring in at an incredible 7,964 yards, the Els Club at Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate and is an absolute beast, although the fact that the course is located on the Highveld means the ball will travel further than normal. Nevertheless, distance off the tee is going to be a huge asset if birdies are to be made on the monster par 5s. Players are also going to need to be accurate as the course is littered with water hazards and bunkers waiting to punish wayward shots. Overall, this is going to be an interesting challenge and a great way to end this run of South African tournaments.
To Win Outright
George Coetzee 6/1
Thomas Aiken 14/1
Romain Wattel 16/1
Rafael Cabrera Bello 18/1
Jaco van Zyl 20/1
VALUE BETS
Johan Carlsson (70/1 a win, 15/1 a place)
Johan Carlsson blows hot and cold and a great streak in South Africa towards the end of last year seemed to come to an end when he missed the cut in Joburg. Nevertheless, he has shown in the past that he loves to play long courses and his best performance on a layout similar to this one was a win in Kazakhstan. This was the result of aggressive play on the par 5s and if he can repeat that performance he should find himself in the mix here come Sunday. 70/1 looks a great price, each way on that is the bet for me.
Julien Quesne (70/1 a win, 15/1 a place)
Much like Carlsson, Quesne is available this week at a very attractive 70/1. This comes as a bit of surprise as the field is a relatively mediocre one and although the South Africans dominate the top of the betting, there aren’t that many in the field who can claim to have won twice in the last two years. Hitting at an above average 290 yards off the tee, fears that he may be a bit short cannot be the reason bookies are being so generous and this looks like an oversight on their behalf. Never mind though, this is great news for us as the talented Frenchman looks a whole lot of value for the discerning punter. Each way is the bet for me.
George Coetzee (6/1 a win, 13/10 a place)
So far I’ve been trying to avoid tipping George Coetzee because 6/1 seems incredibly short but this is one of those occasions where you can’t brass the favourite. Having won his maiden victory on the European Tour in the Joburg Open he’ll be eager to make that two in a month and there are few better places for him to do it. The long layout will suit his game and he’ll feel at home in the conditions. I’m just going for the win here though, 13/10 a place seems a waste of time.
TOP BET: Danny Willet (22/1 a win, 48/10 a place)
I tipped Willet in Joburg and was disappointed when it appeared that back pain got the better of him, but if he’s over that he will definitely put in a serious challenge here. A streak of four top 20s in five starts this season show he’s a player to be taken seriously and his course form cannot be ignored. He came close last year with a T5 finish and will be eager to improve on that this time around. 22/1 looks like a lot of value, get on.
