Live on SS1 & 2: Thu 08.00 & Fri 00.00: Angus Loughran previews this week’s Joburg Open and also the Sony Open in Hawaii.
It is no suprise to see Charl Schwartzel as a hot favourite to win this week’s Joburg Open as he chases his 3rd win in this event in a row but best price 7/2 (Betfred) is very short and is only worth a saver but he will be hard to beat.
Richard Sterne produced a great effort last week in East London to finish 6th and he looks worth supporting again this week at 25/1 with Ladbrokes as he continues to recover after a year off with back problems.
Tommy Fleetwood is 50/1 courtesy of Sportingbet this week and looks worth following each way while, also at a big price, Kyle Scott is 250/1 (Ladbrokes) and a fancy by some locals. It is only his 2nd start on tour but he may well play better than his price suggests.
Steve Stricker has a great chance of being the first player to win the first two events on PGA Tour since Ernie Els in 2003 and with 4 Top 10s in his last 5 visits here, the 15/2 at bet365 is a very fair price in this week’s Sony Open.
I like the chances of Jonathon Byrd here available at 33/1 (Sportingbet) – he played some great golf last week and will be eager to contend once again this week.
Unlike last week’s small field, we are at a maximum 156 this week with many making Tour debuts. One is Erik Compton who is one of the most exciting rookies of 2012. Compton is 300/1 (Totesport) this week but Skybet offer 12/1 on top 20 finish which gives you a huge chance if he makes the cut – either way he is a player to keep on your side.
Two big fields this week with plenty of players starting their 2012 campaign with so much to look forward to.
Good luck
Angus Loughran
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