* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
* Read more of Ben Coley’s top tips at SportingLife.com
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Romain Langasque
I’ll go with Romain Langasque towards the top of the betting. Langasque, I really like actually. He was runner up when he last played the course to Louis Oosthuizen, there’s nobody of that calibre in the field this time and he’s been playing really, really well over the last three months after a quiet summer.
He’s a massive talent, I’d say he’s equal to anyone in the field in that regard, he’s a brilliant driver of the golf ball and I think that’s key in conditions this week in Joburg, we might not see the sunshine we’re accustomed to in South Africa.
It could be windy and wet and Romain Langasque won in Wales last year so he should have no problems with that! He also won an amateur championship at Carnoustie once so the tougher conditions the better for him. If the putter warms up I think he has a massive chance.
Brandon Stone
Brandon Stone is one of those whose form won’t look good, but we see with so many of the South Africans they get home and improve massively for that. He’s certainly a candidate to do that.
He’s been inside the top seven twice in three starts in this tournament and that would win the place money for us. You know he’s up to winning events like this as he’s won the Scottish Open, a Rolex Series event, where he beat some of the world’s best players.
He’s a massive talent, he’s just a bit inconsistent. When he does hit home, especially at a course like Randpark where his driving can be a big weapon, I expect big things from him. Those are my two against the favourite Dean Burmester, who I think might struggle on a course he’s not too keen on.
Zander Lombard
Zander Lombard is the first one at a big price. He’s yet to win on the European Tour but if and when it does come it’ll be no surprise that it comes in his native South Africa. He’s won around here as an amateur but as a professional he’s really thrived here.
He was 15th in both of his last two appearances and in both of those he was in contention but just didn’t see it through. You ask yourself why he didn’t see it through, well his form had been abysmal in the run-up.
This time he’s’ got two top 30s in three starts in Europe and although that might not leap off the page it’s a lot better in terms of foundations. Zander Lombard is a massive talent and hopefully he can go and fulfil that at long last on the European Tour.
Ross Fisher
One man who knows about winning on the European Tour is Ross Fisher. It’s been a long time between drinks, it was actually seven years ago in South Africa when he last won, but he’s a class act.
He obviously played the Ryder Cup in 2010. He’s just lost his card for the first time ever and he’s having to use a career-money exemption. That basically gets him back on Tour because he’s earned enough money over the course of his career.
We saw Nick Watney do the same on the PGA Tour and he immediately finished 2nd and he said he just felt like he got one more shot and I think Ross Fisher will come into this with the right frame of mind.
He’s also been hitting the ball better and this is a good course if you’re a good driver of the ball. At his absolute best Fisher is one of the best drivers in this field. Again, tough conditions for him.
Maybe they’ll help him because he’s not the best putter in the field by any stretch. But what he is, is a class act. He knows how to win, this is not a good tournament and I think the course is good for him. At a big price, maybe Ross Fisher can take advantage of what might be his last year on the European Tour.
Golf Tips this week
Romain Langasque
Brandon Stone
Zander Lombard
Ross Fisher
* Read more of Ben Coley’s top tips at SportingLife.com
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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