African Open Preview Picks & Analysis

THERE is a decent field at the Africa Open, to be played at the superb East London Golf Club, and you would expect one of the home players to come out on top. But England's Andy Sullivan will be looking for his third win in nine weeks on South African soil. If he achieves it, he may well emigrate!

His chief oppostion is expected to come from George Coetzee, who somehow managed to contend at the Joburg Open despite one of the worst chipping displays you will ever see from a top professional. Some of the shots he played from around the greens would have embarrassed a 24-handicapper, but he remained calm throughout it all and putted magnificently. If he wants to move to the next level, this is clearly something that he must sort out - and quickly.

A host of really useful South Africans will be doing their utmost to spoil the party for Sullivan and Coetzee. Richard Sterne and Darren Fichardt are both proven winners, and love playing in front of home crowds, and Fichardt is a former winner of this event.

And don't rule out Simon Dyson, who showed a welcome return to form at the Joburg Open. It may be part of a supporting cast, but the Africa Open could turn out to be a stonker.

African Open Betting Picks 

To win: George Coetzee 15/1

Each-way: Andy Sullivan 12/1

Each-way: Simon Dyson 25/1