Favourite Watch
The star–studded field includes Rory McIlroy at 5/1 closely followed by Jon Rahm at 7/1. Just when you thought Rors was down and out in Wentworth, he drains a putt to make the cut and still gets a top-10 and Rahmbo with his wins in Portstewart and Lahinch knows how to win on links.
Betting Strategy
Seasoned punters will know that the Dunhill Links, above any other event, is a lotto of a tournament. Played over three different courses, the weather plays a major factor (depending on who is on the scoring course) on any given day. “Celebrities” play alongside the pros and nocturnal activities have accounted for many the fine player’s chances over the years! So, punt wisely.
Doc’s Top 5 Best Each Way Bets
Tommy Fleetwood 18/1
130 putts around the West Course at Wentworth last week for a T60 finish might leave you scratching your head and wondering why Doc is tipping Tommy. I’ll tell you why – because he’s got the game for links. And the pedigree. Solo second at the Open in Portrush this year. Four top-5 finishes from eight starts in the Dunhill Links, including coming T2 last year. And putting on Autumn links greens that won’t be cut low and won’t be fast because of wind is a totally different story to what he faced last week. Keep the faith.
Bernd Wiesberger 28/1
Bernd recovered from an opening round of 74 to finish T17 last week at Wentworth and will be very comfortable in this week’s environment. Hasn’t played in the event since 2016 but notched up a T7 on that occasion to go with a T4 in 2015. Winner of the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in July. I think the big Austrian will have a big say this week.
Tyrrell Hatton 30/1
Not good at the St Jude, worse at the Northern Trust, crashed and burned out on Friday in Wentworth last week, nobody expects much of Tyrrell Hatton this week. But whatever way he’s managed, after a pair of missed cuts in 2014 and 2015, to master this particular event since (given all the variables I mentioned at the outset) it has been nothing short of phenomenal. Winner in 2016, defended the title in 2017, T2 last year. Write him off at your peril.
Erik Van Rooyen 40/1
Another T14 in Wentworth makes it six consecutive top-20 finishes for Erik Van Rooyen and he’s now firmly into the World’s Top–60 and up to seventh in the Race to Dubai. The big South African got his win at the Scandinavian Invitational but you have to think there’s so much more in this guy. Nothing to show from his two starts at this event but might have a squeak at a place for small money.
Robert MacIntyre 50/1
Really enjoying watching Bob MacIntyre play all these tough European Tour courses for the first time and while he’s not consistently scoring well every week, he’s had a terrific year. T2 at the British Masters at Hillside in May, then solo second in Denmark, a brilliant run to T6 in The Open at Portrush and T2 again in Hamburg a couple of weeks back. The former shinty player is sure to be the home favourite this week!
Long Odds Glory Shots
Matthias Schwab can be backed at 60/1 this week. In super form, T10 here last year.
Ross Fisher is 80/1. T2 in 2016 and 2017, cameo albatross at Wentworth last week before T31 finish.
Richie Ramsay is overpriced at 125/1 with many bookies. Putted superbly last week at Wentworth for a T6.
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