Outright Picks - European Tour
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Open de France (1pt):
Anders Hansen to win 28/1 e.w. @
Sportingbet
and
Sporting Odds
Avoiding any player who played at Shinnecock Hills last week even if
they did miss the cut. That energy-sapping course and the transatlantic
flight should make it difficult for one of those players to close out
this event. Instead, siding with three in-form players who were must
have been glad to have only watched last week's drama. This is a huge
price for a player who currently ranks #1 in All-Round Ranking on the
European Tour and 2nd only to Els in scoring average. No other players
currently average less than 70 per round. Needless to say, he has been
very consistent with nine top-15 finishes in eleven starts this year and
he has two in three visits to Le Golf National, including 3rd two years
ago. Against these credentials, this is a large price.
David Howell to win 28/1 e.w. @
Victor
Chandler
Howell can almost match Hansen. He pushed Golding all the way, forcing
him to birdie the last hole to deny Howell a playoff last year. He also
finished 8th in 1998 on this course. And like Hansen, he is in good form
this year, ranking 5th in the scoring average stat, and securing three
top-5 finishes in his last eight starts. If he continues to average less
than 70 strokes in his final round, he may finally win his second Tour
title this week.
Nick O'Hern to win 40/1 e.w. @
Victor
Chandler
O'Hern fits the same bill as the other two selections. He ranks 4th in
scoring average on Tour this season, which means that no-one in this
week's field has a better scoring average on this Tour in 2004 than any
of these selections. As the best indicator of quality, this stat
suggests that these three should have a good chance this week,
particularly as all three average less than 70 strokes in the final
round. They may not have won too many European Tour titles between them,
but they keep giving themselves opportunities. O'Hern has had six top-6
finishes in his last ten starts and can count two top-15 in his last
three visits to this course. He is never a 40/1 shot this week.
Final update: 1-2; +2.50pts
Hansen 40th
Howell 14th
O'Hern 2nd
No chance of victory with Remesy a runaway leader, but a good
performance from O'Hern to secure the place win. Could have been two in
the top-five as Howell had been there, but was five-over-par for his
last seven holes and quickly dropped down the leaderboard.
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