Alfred Dunhill Championship Preview, Picks & Analysis
WITHOUT so much as a pause for breath, the new European Tour season begins at Leopard Creek in South Africa with the Alfred Dunhill Championship. You could be forgiven for expecting a field full of Z-listers, but you would be wrong.
Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel lead an incredibly strong home challenge, and all three will be giving it their best shot. We should be grateful that these three men are still spending so much time on the tour where they made their name - the biggest surprise is that, between, them they have won only two majors, with Oosthuizen claiming The Open and Schwartzel The Masters.
As sure as night follows day, Grace will join them and it would be no surprise whatsoever if he were to surpass them and land several. He has had a magnificent year, coming close at the US Open and The Open. He drives the ball superbly, and every other part of his game is world-class - apart from his putting. However, Grace has found a way to overcome that, devising a one-off claw-style grip and the most awkward stance you ever did see, but it works. He came close to winning the Race to Dubai, and although he will be spending an increasing amount of time on the PGA Tour in the months ahead, he would love nothing more than to win on home soil and go on to finish first in the Race to Dubai.
Louis Oosthuizen will lead a strong home contingent
Schwartzel is one of the most frustrating golfers on the planet - everything about him and his game looks right, so why doesn't he win three or four tournaments every year? Even Schwartzel probably can't answer that question. It is to be assumed that the South Africans are being paid handsomely to appear because the prize money at stake is pretty puny.
The South Africans will find themselves facing some very hungry golfers this week as most of graduates from the Challenge Tour and Final Qualifying take their bows for the first time. Make no mistake about it, there are some surefire winners among these new boys, none more so than Ricardo Gouveia, who finished at the top of the Challenge Tour rankings. He had a remarkable season, winning three times and producing a bucketload of top 10 finishes. Gouveia won the final event of the Challenge Tour season, and arrives in South Africa brimful of confidence. It might be too much to ask for him to him his first event, but don't be at all surprised to see him contend.
The same applies to Paul Dunne, the Irishman previously best know for leading The Open after three rounds as an amateur. He is now a fully-fledged tour pro, having gained his card at PGA Catalunya. With the pressure removed from his shoulders, Dunne will be another to watch as the season unfolds, and I expect him to make his mark quickly. Speaking of confidence, Kristoffer Bromberg and Lucas Bjerregaard both have reasons for optimism in the season that lies ahead. Bromberg won in Shanghai and Bjerregaard proved he has the pedigree to become a regular winner. Both men may well feel they have outside chances of playing in the Ryder Cup.
Another who could do with some big weeks is Alexander Levy, who failed to capitalise on his astonishing maiden season. He was expected to add several more victories in 2015, but was subdued for most of the campaign and will be anxious to prove he was no flash in the pan.
Alfred Dunhill Champinship Betting Picks
To win - Branden Grace. The complete golfer
Each way - Ricardo Gouveia. Young and hungry
Each way - Lucas Bjerregaard Ready to win soon
Alfred Dunhill Championship Fantasy Picks
Branden Grace. Loves playing on home soil
Ricardo Gouveia. Talented Challenge Tour graduate
Lucas Bjerregaard. Keep your eye on this boy
Paul Dunne. Looking for a big year
Louis Oosthuizen. Why doesn't he win more often?
George Coetzee. Will be inspoired by home crowd
Charl Schwatrtzel. No brainer
Kristoffer Bromberg. On the crest of a wave
Joost Luiten. Looking for improvement
Alexander Levy. Has been working hard on his game
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Tags: european tour