![]() That had also been true in the previous week's Scottish Open, where this time his driving was elite only for slow, links greens to throw his improved putting completely off course. Look beyond them and you'll see that he hit more greens than anyone in the Open, where he ranked eighth in strokes-gained approach but was abysmal with the putter. But three of his seven starts since that Spanish victory have been in majors, another in a world-class event on links turf, and it's not at all surprising that his results don't look especially impressive. ![]() ![]() The reason we're getting these odds – and to be clear, he'd be a bet down to 33s as I believe he belongs up with Hojgaard and company – is that on the face of it, he is in what you might call a post-win slump. He ranks sixth in this field in strokes-gained total and unless he arrives at an event like this amid a terrible slump, the days of 50/1 and 20th in the betting really ought to be behind us. His improved approach play and putting have matched up with his prodigious length to make him one of the very best players on the circuit, something we all knew he was capable of becoming. Instead, the headline vote goes to ADRI ARNAUS, who strikes me as hugely overpriced at the 50/1 quoted in bet365's Each-Way Extra market, which has him alongside a collection of lesser players.Īrnaus is 20th in the Race to Dubai having enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, winning his first title in the ISPS Handa Championship having gone close in Saudi Arabia and South Africa before that. Last year's smash-and-grab to pip Bernd Wiesberger showed how effective he can be here, 10th place in Scotland two starts ago is a very strong piece of form and it's unlikely this first proper title defence is a problem, but he has struggled to put four rounds together all year and that's enough to put me off at odds of 25/1. But with MacIntyre unable to capitalise on a hot putter so far this summer, Meronk's short-game still a worry and Fox having perhaps gone off the boil in what's been a draining season already, only defending champion Hojgaard makes serious appeal among the quartet who make up the very top of the market. And, for Ryan Fox, Robert MacIntyre, Adrian Meronk and Rasmus Hojgaard, it's also one which allows them to ease back into competitive action as they set their sights on the BMW PGA Championship which is now just a fortnight away.Īll of them have the potential to rip apart this course, even if it's no pushover and may be toughened up by a spot of rain and cool conditions. With a picture-postcard town offering something for everyone, it's fair to say this is an event many players have circled in the calendar from the minute a schedule is released. So too can greens which are small and perched up, demanding precise approaches, sharp short-games, and the forgiveness of the mountain air. It's a course made up of a collection of driveable par-fours which threaten to randomise things a little too much, and there are good shots which get punished by a bounce or a tree branch here and can cause a good deal of frustration. ![]() This is as good as it gets when it comes to backdrops, whatever trigger-happy DP World Tour social media staff might tell you during the Middle East swing, and a quirky, fun golf course serves as the perfect canvas for one week only.Īnywhere else, and Crans would risk being a little bit silly. From here through Denmark and on to Wentworth, it's a big run for the DP World Tour, and with Ryder Cup venues and a return to St Andrews soon afterwards, the next six weeks will make for fabulous viewing.įor now of course it all happens without the genuine superstars, who are still scrapping for the FedEx Cup, but to be frank it could be a satellite tour event and Crans-sur-Sierre would still be worth tuning in for. Three of the top 10 in the Race to Dubai are in Switzerland for the Omega European Masters, a fabulous event on a unique golf course and one which marks the turning of the tide after a post-Open lull.
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