Northern Ireland Open

Subscribe

Daan Huizing - 1 point e/w @ 33-1

Marcus Armitage - advised 0.75 points e/w @ 125-1

Described as a 'bit of a Major for the Challenge Tour' the universally acclaimed Galgorm course holds the fourth Northern Ireland Open with large crowds and a pro-am that may even be considered Y-list.

A 7100-yard par-71 is a good test but bring in the recent rain and high rough and the premium will be on accuracy and whilst nobody has won recording single-figures under par, it will take a top grade effort to return champion.

The top of the market is fairly understandable, with excellent recent form to the fore. Our placed bet from last week, Clement Sordet tries to defend his crown but it will not be easy from a very good field, whilst nobody can really argue with the likes of Heath, Ritthammer, Fox or Frittelli. Perhaps the most interesting is Jens Dantorp - often there is talk of Scandinavians doing well on the European Tour Irish leg and the Swede's recent form and 6th round here suggest he is a very live contender. However, these are all less than 30-1 and represent no value despite their claims.

The one I really wanted a price on was another of last week's bets, Daan Huizing. I mentioned last week how he often turns up at the same events and he repeated that at La Vaudreuil last week, doing absolutely nothing of note but finishing top-15 to back up 4th and 24th at the same venue. It occurs so regularly that it cannot be mere coincidence and he admits he likes this time of year. Back at the scene of his maiden victory in his rookie season (2013), and backed up with 3rd a couple of years later he is primed to put in another serious challenge. I was hoping for a tad bigger than 33-1, but it isn't a wrong price and he has to be included despite it being 'too' obvious.

There are a couple of more experienced players that were of interest, certainly if any poor weather arrived and Simon Thornton was one of huge note. With form in better events over the years, including in the highest class Irish Open, that 16th place round here in 2015 caught the eye. He has been playing and winning on the lesser PGA Tour in Ireland rather than competing on the Challenge Tour and I'm not sure that is enough to be punting him. He was certainly hugely tempting though.

Instead, at the same price I hope a few saw the tweet this morning suggesting Marcus Armitage at 125-1. Three figures has now long gone and it remains only to justify the bet.

Quietly progressive, it took the 29-year-old a time to be a winner at third-tier level but he broke through this week three years ago in Ireland, eventually finishing 9th on the PGA Europro OOM. A couple of seasons later and he improved that to a CT qualifying 4th courtesy of  two tournament wins, a couple of pro-ams and back-up top-10s. Given the top-5 last season included champion and certain main tour player next year, Jordan Smith,  and hugely promising Aaron Rai, this is a class of player that can easily compete at this level with a modicum of experience. 

The early season wasn't great with just one top-20 at the Czech (decent class of event to be fair) but something has clearly clicked in in the last month with top-15s at both the Fred Olsen (final round joint best-of-the-day 64 launching him from 49th) and at the high class Le Vaudreuil event last week when he was always present. Perhaps he now has more belief, maybe it's a work ethic - either way there is enough there to suggest he won't be long in making a true trophy challenge. I was happy to price him aroound 66-1 so getting twice that price was a bonus.

One final word. Due to time restraints, this will be my last column for tour-tips for a while. The last four-and-a-half years have been hugely enjoyable if sometimes frustrating but it has been a fascinating tour to work on. I sincerely thank anyone that has read this at any point, or interacted with my twitter account @thirtysixholes from which I'll still post weekly thoughts amongst utter rubbish. I wish the new writer huge luck in his efforts but for now, laters kids.