Tshwane Open

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A tough assignment this week for punters with a new tournament and little worthwhile course form. What we can glean from player interviews however is that it plays extremely long (even allowing for the altitude), has a links feel being very exposed to the elements and has some very slopey green complexes. With this in mind i'm focusing on players with length off the tee, in good form and with a liking for South African conditions.

2 pts e/w Thomas Aiken 18/1 Sportingbet

Aiken ticks a lot of boxes this week - he hits it a long way, is a proven winner and should relish the exposed, linksy nature of the track. Born in nearby Johannesburg he's started 2013 in solid form and should have very positive associations with the locality having won the Telekom PGA Pro-Am at Centurion Country Club just a few miles down the road back in 2005. 

1.5 pts e/w Darren Fichardt 25/1 Ladbrokes / Betvictor

Fichardt lives down the road in Centurion, should be extremely comfortable with the course and is in very good form having just won the Africa Open on his penultimate start. A prolific and proven winner in his homeland, when he hits form he's worth following in the short-term as evidenced by back-to-back victories in both 2001 and 2006 seasons.

1pt e/w Andy Sullivan (top GB & Ireland) 10/1 Stan James 1/4 1234

Sullivan is in a rich vein of form, hits the ball a long way and should enjoy the test this week. In a section which includes a number of shorter hitters along with others struggling for form, Sullivan looks to offer good each-way value here at 10/1.