Branden to Grace the links
Our Tips:
1.25 Pts E/W (1-5) Branden Grace (18/1 Bet 365)
1.25 Pts E/W (1-5) Shane Lowry (22/1 Bet 365)
1 Pt E/W (1-5) Ross Fisher (66/1 Bet 365)
After a thrilling finale to the PGA Tour season our attention moves across the Atlantic to the European Tour and what will be a few big weeks building up to the Race to Dubai climax. This week sees a high quality field compete for The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship staged at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. This will be the 15th anniversary of the competition which adds a little more sparkle to an occasion where celebrities join professional golfers on the course.
The strong field will likely be prepared for tough conditions on these three classic links courses. Unlike last week at the Tour Championship past course form often plays a big part in predicting the winner. We have analysed the field, looked at past and current form and have come up with the following selections.
Our Tips:
1.25 Pts E/W (1-5) Branden Grace (18/1 Bet 365)
Our headline pick this week is Branden Grace who we expect to go well after a few weeks away from tournament golf. Grace has enjoyed a very strong year, especially in the big events. He had a T4th at the US Open and a 3rd place finish at the recent USPGA Champs. He also enjoyed a 20th place finish at The Open which of course was held at St Andrews.
Grace is no stranger to links golf and this event. He seems to relish the unique challenge offered by links golf. He finished just outside the top 20 in this event last year and would have been contending if it wasn’t for an opening 76. Grace is also a past champion of the Dunhill Links, winning the trophy back in 2012. Grace learnt his trade on the South African links venue of Fancourt so has all the necessary skills to cope with the three courses and conditions. He currently sits in fifth in the Race to Dubai rankings and will be looking to close the gap on Rory Mcilroy who is having a break this week.
1.25 Pts E/W (1-5) Shane Lowry (22/1 Bet 365)
Another we fancy to go well this week is Shane Lowry who like Grace has taken a few weeks off after the USPGA Champs. Lowry is having a breakthrough season which was highlighted by his win at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in August where he held his nerve for a huge victory. This massive win is sure to take some pressure off Lowry and allows him to focus on enjoying his golf. Lowry is no stranger to links golf and has said in the past that he loves this type of challenge. Lowry is another that has strong past form in this event. Last year Lowry went close finishing 6th and he will be looking to go better this year.
1 Pt E/W (1-5) Ross Fisher (66/1 Bet 365)
Our final tip is Ross Fisher who last week finally demonstrated the kind of form we know he is capable of, finishing in a tie for 5th in Germany. Fisher hasn’t been consistent this season and has missed a lot of cuts, but he must be confident going in to a familiar event on the back of a solid showing last week. He usually has a strong showing in this event and has lost out in a playoff back in 2008. He will be looking to get his season back on track and go one better this week.