Golf: Austrian Open
Venue: Diamond Country Club, Atzenbrugg, Austria.
Dates: Thursday 9th – Sunday 12th July 2020
Tournament Preview
The first European Tour event following the COVID 19 pandemic gets underway in Austria, in what promises to be a fascinating contest. The Austrian Open is back on the European Tour, after a two-year hiatus and with plenty of big names from the Challenger Tour also featuring, there looks to be plenty to play for. With over €500,000 in the prize pot, a significant amount of prize money is on offer and with the likes of Bernhard Langer and Rafa Cabrera-Bello amongst the winning alumni, it is an event that holds plenty of prestige on the European Tour.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
With the European Tour restarting, plenty of big names are in action and looking to find form in the Austrian sunshine: –
Dutchman Joost Luiten won this event in 2014 and is a mainstay on the European Tour, with the only question mark sure to be around how much golf he has played during the imposed season break.
Belgian Thomas Detry continues to impress on the European Tour and looks to have a bright future ahead of him in the game and this course in Austria looks well suited to his playing style.
Young Spaniard Adri Arnaus was operating at his career high world ranking prior to the postponement of the European Tour season and he’ll be looking to pick up where he left off.
Former Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts is one of the best ball-strikers on the European Tour and if he is in good nick when he arrives in Austria, he is sure to be in contention come Sunday.
Swede Rikard Karlberg has been through a rollercoaster ride to be on the European Tour this season and he will be desperate to grasp his opportunity here in Austria.
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:-
German Max Keiffer has developed into one of the most reliable performers on both the European and Challenge Tours over the last few years and he could get off to a flyer here.
Frenchman Gregory Bourdy is a really solid campaigner and whilst his form in recent seasons hasn’t been great, he has the game and the mentality to get off to a very strong start here.
Experienced Scot Marc Warren has been out of the winner’s circle on the European Tour for nearly 6 years, but he comes from good stock and should relish the challenge here in Austria.
Top Ten Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in the Austria, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:-
Exciting young Scot Connor Syme has made a real name for himself on the Challenge Tour and with the European Tour also well within his sights, he could go well here in a field he will fancy his chances in.
Enigmatic Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez continues to churn out both the performances and the results on the Seniors Tour and his course knowledge shouldn’t be discarded here in Austria.
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent has made a solid transition from the PGA Tour to the European Tour in recent seasons and he could feature heavily come the weekend here in Austria.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Joost Luiten – 6.00
