The greens at the Gary Player Country Club, Sun City are being prepared in anticipation of the 37th Nedbank Golf Challenge, hosted by Gary Player, which runs from 8 to 11 November. The event – which forms part of the Rolex Series on the European Tour – will see 72 top local and international golfers teeing off in the hopes of taking home the $7.5 million prize purse. The 2018 edition boasts a competitive field – any one worth betting on – but here are the top 5 picks for betting on this year’s Nedbank Golf Challenge.
5 Betting Favourites the Nedbank Golf Challenge
Thomas Bjorn – Topping the list is Danish national, Thomas Bjørn, who can only be flying high following what was arguably his greatest career moment – leading the European team to a 17.5 – 10.5 win over America at the 2018 Ryder Cup. When it comes to the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Bjørn has winning experience, having taken the 2013 title. Although he hasn’t clinched a Majors’ title, he was the first Danish golfer to win a tournament on the European Tour in the 1996 Loch Lomond World Invitational. He has subsequently won a further 15 tournaments worldwide on the tour and placed in the top 10 an incredible 94 times.
Betting odds TBC
Brandon Stone– South Africa’s hopes of a local win for the Nedbank Golf Challenge could be pinned on young up-and-comer, Brandon Stone. Son of renowned golfer, Kevin Stone, Brandon Stone will be making his third appearance at the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Since turning professional in 2016, Stone has won the BMW South African Open, the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open. Although he has yet to claim a Major, he tied 12th at the US PGA Championship and he also represented South African at the Olympic Games.
Betting odds TBC
Rory McIlroy – Those looking to bet on the Nedbank Golf Challenge will be excited to see four-time Major winner, Rory McIlroy, making his first appearance since 2009. The Northern Irishman has 23 professional wins including the 2011 US Open, the 2014 Open Championship, and the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships. His wins include three European Tour’s Race to Dubai and he formed an integral part of the European team that took the recent Ryder Cup. McIlroy is always a strong contender and fans will be excited to see him compete in the Nedbank Golf Challenge, particularly as he didn’t complete in 2009 because of illness.
Betting odds TBC
Sergio Garcia – Another betting favourite is Spanish professional, Sergio Garcia, who has claimed ‘Africa’s Major’ title two times previously – in 2001 and 2003 – with 2018 being his 10th appearance. For both wins he beat out South Africans to take the Nedbank Golf Challenge title – in 2001 he closed with a final round of 63 to tie with Ernie Els, before winning on the first playoff hole. Two years later he beat out another South African – this time Retief Goosen – also in a playoff. His last appearance in the Nedbank Golf Challenge was in 2013 when he finished second to Thomas Bjørn. With 33 professional titles, one Major – the 2017 US Open – and four second-place Major finishes, Garcia is a good bet.
Betting odds TBC
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Branden Grace – As the reigning champion of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Grace will be looking to repeat his victory and become the second ever South African to win the event back-to-back following Ernie Els in 1999 and 2000. Grace was the first South African to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge a decade, taking the title with a single stroke. That same year he went on to shoot the lowest round in men’s Major Championship history with a 62 in the third round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
His historic wins started in 2012 when he became the first player in European Tour history to win his first four tournaments in one year. If history is to be made, this is the player to watch.
Betting odds TBC
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Please note betting odds quoted are correct at time of publication and are subject to change. View the latest Nedbank Golf Challenge betting odds.
