Golf: Joburg Open
Venue: Randpark Golf Club, Johannesburg.
Dates: Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd November 2020
Tournament Preview
The European Tour merges with the African Tour in South Africa for the Joburg Open. Having been off the calendar since 2017, the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic has meant that the event has returned to the golfing schedule. Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg is one of the most infamous courses in the Southern Hemisphere and the stakes in South Africa could not be higher this weekend for some of the European Tour’s biggest names. Previous winners of the event include Andy Sullivan, George Coetzee and Charl Schwartzel – testament to the prestige of the tournament and with over $1 million in the prize pot, there is plenty to play for in South Africa this week.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
Plenty of the biggest names on the European Tour are present in Johannesburg meaning it should be a hotly contested week of golf:-
Christiaan Bezuidenhout – 15.00
Young South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout went under the radar in his first Masters event last time out but having made the cut, he has something to build on in home conditions here.
Home favourite Brandon Stone has enjoyed a decent year on the European Tour and if he plays to his strengths, he could be very much in the mix come Sunday afternoon.
Fresh off the back of a top 10 at the Cyprus Classic last time out, Gavin Green could be a man to look out for in Joburg – having always enjoyed hot, fast conditions previously.
Dutchman Joost Luiten is a man searching for form on the European Tour, but he has an excellent game that could go well here in Joburg and he has plenty of experience at this level.
Richard Sterne – 60.00
1st Round Leader
Producing the goods over 72 holes is often the most difficult thing for any golfer to do therefore here are our first round leader picks:-
Emerging Spaniard Adri Arnaus is developing into one of the most consistent performers on the European Tour and having not missed a cut since August, he always starts well.
Englishman Matthew Jordan finished in the top 10 at the Cyprus Classic last time out and at the age of 24, he looks to have the golfing world at his feet.
South African Justin Walters has been a consistent performer at this level for the best part of a decade and as a previous runner up at the event, he could be one to watch this week.
Top Ten Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in Joburg, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:-
Spaniard Adrian Otaegui continues to perform on the European Tour, and few would bet against him being in amongst the top of the leader board come Sunday afternoon.
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson is a solid performer on the European Tour, and he can always mix it with the big boys in every field he plays in.
Frenchman Alexander Levy finished inside the top 10 at the Cyprus Classic and his performances have been steadily improving, making him a contender at a high price this week.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Brandon Stone – 22.00
1st Round Leader: Matthew Jordan – 35.00
Top Ten Finish: Alexander Levy – 4.00
