Karnten Golf Open

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As extremely annoying as it was to have one of last week's header selections just one shot outside a place payout, the Turkish Airlines event had cards filled with more colours than a certain odds-compilers spreadsheet. I'm not sure there have been so many bogeys, doubles and worse on a CT event for a long while and with the winning score just 2-under I wonder what sort of form that will represent come the far simpler tracks. Nevertheless, those with short memories will recall that we put up Oli Farr at 200-1 just a couple of weeks ago, mentioning that it wouldn't take him long to adjust to this level - one can only hope our other 'watches' are actually backed when they win. (insert upside-down smiley thing).

This week, Saffer Dylan Frittelli defends in Austria but over a completely different course and one that looks, via their superb website, to be much more open than many of the early season courses. Given the defending Champ's form, it would be incredible to see him contending but he will enjoy smashing it off the tee for once and it is possible, if not probable.

The scoring looks as if it be low this week, so accurate second shot merchants are required with the ability to take chances, and we'll row along with a few of those.

First up are two that were backed last week. Apologies for the repeat but here they are. Since the write-up, Ritthammer has finished 7th in Turkey with the 66 in round two and the closing two birdies catching the eye and he looks near a return to top form, whilst Espana was level par with three to go last week, only to shoot +5 for those holes. 

Bernd Ritthammer - 0.75 points each-way @ 40-1 (Bet365)

Despite being a multiple winner on lesser tours such as his home ProGolf tour, the 27-year-old has yet to win at this level. Based on some very solid efforts over the last 18 months his turn cannot be too far away and evidence of his qualifications are all there through the 2013 season when 4 x top-15s plus a T2nd to the excellent Brooks Koepka are a highlight of his ability. Surely his best effort though is the 22nd at the high class BMW in Munich when he stats indicate a ranking of 10th for driving accuracy and greens-in-reg, crucial to this weeks chance. He may not have hit any high notes thus far this year with four m/c from five starts, but the odd big number is ruining his scorecard and he is much better judged on his form in Kenya, 10th after a poor 74 start. If that link is not spurious, he also has last seasons 7th at the same venue as proof of his ability on tight, tree-lined tracks. A two-time winner at home last season with an end-of-season ranking of 4th, if he is ever going to hit form again it should be on a track that will reward his accuracy.

Edouard Espana - 0.75 points each-way @ 40-1 (Bet365)

I am sure there is a Spaniard called 'Francais' somewhere but nevertheless the 24-year-old is highly thought of in many golf circles and, given his ability to win events, is surely going to cross the line in this higher grade. A four-time winner since turning professional a couple of years ago, his accuracy and ability with the putter will eventually set him apart from the middle ranked players. The Frenchman's last victory was on the satallite MENA tour in March at the Dar Es Salam in Morocco, where a bogey-free final round 66 eased him home. He followed hat up with a top-5 in similar class and whilst he is taking his time to find his feet at this level, a 16th at the shortened Madeira looks a step in the right direction. Top-10 in accuracy and GIR bodes well here this week and whilst we don't have enough stats to back up his putting, enough reports indicate his ability. I am encouraged with both the final round 69 last week but also the opening 66 at Catalunya that showed he can shoot low - put this all together and you have a decent golfer.  

Adrien Bernadet - 0.75 points each-way @ 45-1 (Bet365)

A decent amateur (who isnt?) the Frenchman has snippets of top level form to make him a  threat in this class. 13th in the South African Open in 2012 is probably his best ever result but this years form looks the catalyst to much improvement in his rankings, the best currently 49th in 2010. From just three events on the Challenge Tour, Bernadet has a runner-up in Kenya and a 10th last week in Turkey with an excellent final round 68, the only score under 70 (and that number only by the evntual winner).  We only have one event with stats, the co-sanctioned NH, but he ranked 6th for driving accuracy there and mid-30s for the rest of his game. He must take confidence from last week, and the late eagle plus that score may be enough to take him up another level.

Antony Snobeck - 0.50 points ecah-way @ 55-1 (Bet365)

Another Frenchman and who knows, they may be inspired by the run of French results on the main Tour. Snobeck has plenty of experience on both Tours and, unlike many of the field, does have a couple of victories behind him, the latest in 2011 in Tuscany. When right, Snobeck has a decent long game that should be advantageous here this week and he'll be looking to get his main Tour card back after a decent little run of 12th in Madeira and 22nd last week. I am not sure of the relevence but the selection was mid-30s at the Lyoness in Austria last season so has the tiny morsel of local top level form behind him, enough to stick him in the plan.

Jesper Kennegard - 0.25 points each-way @ 150-1 (Bet365) 

Oh no, not again. If you think I am leaving my number two 'player to follow' alone at 100+, think again! I am not having another 'Farr' moment. Won't repeat it all but he is a multiple winner on the third-tier tours and with massive College form behind him, certainly enough to believe that when the Swede hits form, he'll be staying there. Okay, current form is, erm, as good as Fritelli's but there is a proper player there and he'll contune to be played whilst he is an appealing price.