* 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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Hero World Challenge
Rory McIlroy
I really like Rory McIlroy, he’s just about the favourite for the Hero World Challenge but I think that’s justified. When you get to this time of year motivation is massive and anyone who saw him rip his own shirt off his back in Dubai when he missed a great chance two weeks ago will know that he’ll be highly motivated.
He has won twice this year, it’s not been the greatest season in terms of his performance in Majors but two wins is a decent-enough return and I think he could make it three here. The course will really suit him and there’s no real wind either so birdies all the way, five par 5s where I think his power will be a big advantage.
Tony Finau
It’ll be the same as well for Tony Finau. I don’t think it’s any surprise he’s played really well here in two visits, given that we have those five par 5s to go at. He was runner up on debut behind Jon Rahm.
He was 10th on his second visit but he shot 79 on day one, the rest of the week he was as good as anybody in the field, he just had a bad start. He needs to putt better but there’s good hope he can do that.
Patrick Reed
Finally I’ll give you Patrick Reed. He was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons two years ago. Some punters may remember that he was involved in a bit of a rules incident, to say the least. It took the shine off a good performance, he finished 3rd and he’ll come back and be in the headlines again.
He doesn’t mind that, he likes having his back against the wall. Although he’s not been in great form he’s a massive price. He’s got the best scoring average at this course of every player in the field. He makes a good each-way bet at the current prices.
South African Open
Wilco Nienaber
I’ll go for three home players here. The big news last week was that the DP World Tour have left the region, this is only a South African Tour event. There are a few Europeans but there’s none of the big names, it’s fair to say.
A chance then for Wilco Nienaber who, already at a young age, has developed a reputation for being pound-for-pound probably the longest hitter on the planet. This is actually the longest course they use, or did use, on the European Tour so his strength there off the tee will certainly be an advantage. He’s come a long way, I think, after finishing 11th here last year.
Daniel van Tonder
So too has Daniel van Tonder. He won the Kenya Open back in the spring, that was a stronger event than this one. It was all about his driving in that tournament, he’s a brilliant long and accurate driver of the ball.
If you think about the players who have won at Sun City in the past, players like Lee Westwood, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, they’re generally very, very strong off the tee and that’s an important thing to have in your favour. Van Tonder has that and he missed the cut last week only because of a quiet couple of rounds with the putter.
Louis De Jager
Finally then, Louis De Jager. He was in the top 20 drivers on the European Tour last season which is a bit of a surprise. It’s a big area of improvement for him. His iron play’s clicked as well over the last couple of weeks so everything’s falling into place for him.
He’s a former runner up at this golf course and he’s actually won across the road at the other course in Sun City so lots of good memories for him in this region. He’s one of these players, do I think he’s ready to win on the European Tour? Probably not. But now the standout names have left town I think he has a really good chance.
* Read more of Ben Coley’s top tips at SportingLife.com
This week’s golf tips
Hero World Challenge
Rory McIlroy
Tony Finau
Patrick Reed
South African Open
Wilco Nienaber
Daniel van Tonder
Louis De Jager
* 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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