19th Hole
2021 Joburg Open Betting Picks & Selections
The welcome to the DP World Tour may not be the fanfare that organisers were hoping for, but viewers are in for a visual treat over the next three weeks, as the Sunshine Tour co-sanction three events that give true meaning to the phrase ‘natural beauty’.
Away from the actual play, Randpark, the Gary Player, and Leopard Creek give commentator Tony Johnstone a chance to gush over the delights of his homeland, a true listening pleasure for those lucky to receive it.
These previews are not intended to be the formal structure of many, so straight into it.
The Joburg Open itself has taken in various sites, including using Firethorn’s sister course Bushwillow, but this year will use just the hardest track on the course. At altitude, the official 7500-plus yards course plays nowhere near that length and whilst Firethorn will be the more forgiving of the three courses; it will place as much emphasis on the short game as it does the bombing prowess.
Previous winners of this event, in all its guises, include the likes of home stalwarts Charl Schwartzel, Brandon Grace and George Coetzee whilst when the course held the South Africa Open, as it did in 2018 and 2020, add the names Retief Goosen (beat Ernie Els), Louis Oosthuizen and Grace once again. Experience of the Kikuyu fairways and bentgrass greens does help, and whilst the course has had its changes (2017), I’m expecting a similar score of around 19-under and a quality winner with proven past form.
As always in these events, there is a fair amount of deadwood and whilst many are capable of sneaking into a top-10 place, the winner is likely to be based well under the three-figure price range.
Full respect to the short-priced favourite, Dean Burmester. There is no arguing that he deserves to be a single figure price in this field. He is the only entrant in the world top-100, is a recent winner at home and finished sixth to Collin Morikawa in Dubai just five days ago. There is nothing new there, and at 10-1 (+10000), he is well worth a saver to the main bets.
Jayden Schaper Win/Top 5 +4000/+800
At 16 years of age, the junior superstar completed the Grand Slam of South African ‘Nomad’ titles – at under-13, 15 and 17 level whilst also going back-to-back at under-19 – and it’s been only a matter of time before he makes the top league.
Indeed, so quick was Schaper’s rise that within a few months of completing the five-timer, he won the Junior Players at Sawgrass and ended the 2019 season with a 26th at Galgorm Castle on the full European Tour and a place just outside the top-40 in the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.
Despite the interruption to the 2020 season, he returned in August to record three top-10 and four top-20 finishes in a run of nine events before catching the eye of the golfing world when finishing runner-up to Christiaan Bezuidenhout at Leopard Creek. Back then, Schaper took a lead into the back-9 before playing three balls off the 10th tee and finishing with a 75, disappointing but hugely encouraging and a sign there were big things ahead.
2021 didn’t start in great fashion, but since August, the future star has recorded two top-five finishes, a trio of top-10s and a 12th place in just eight starts and, given the way he improves at a course, can be expected to leave last year’s 18th place behind.
Let’s sum it up with the facts.
On the Sunshine Tour, over the past three months, the 19-year-old ranks first for driving distance, fourth for total driving, 28th for greens, sixth for scrambling, ninth for putting average, fifth for par-fours and 12th for par-fives.
It won’t be if, it will be when.
Marcus Helligkilde Win/Top 5 +4000/ +800
Another youngster and one, aged 25 that is coming to the fore three years after starting out on his professional career on the Nordic Tour having won a couple of European amateur titles.
A trio of wins and numerous top-10 finishes in his native area was sandwiched with an initial learning period on the Challenge Tour, but it’s in the past nine months or so that he has shown the form that gives him every chance in this grade.
An early runner-up in Sweden preceded an eye-catching top-25 in Denmark on the main tour, a final-round 64 launching him from outside of the top-50, but it was the wire-to-wire win in Finland in August that gave him the confidence and belief. Back then, he stated, ”the biggest factor was my mental game and how I managed myself around the course.”
That mental fortitude was in evidence when fighting through the entire weekend at the BN-L Trophy in the Netherlands (lost in a playoff) before receiving an invitational to the Dutch Open on the main tour where he held second place from the second round until just lacking experience through the latter stages of Sunday. 17th tee-to-green and fifth around-the-green on the European Tour, around a tricky track, is never going to read badly.
Continuing to grow his game, Helligkilde had five remaining events on the feeder Challenge Tour, the second place in Spain surrounded by two wins, including the Challenge Tour Grand Finale, when he comfortably held off quality opposition to win the tournament and the overall title.
As a convoluted piece of evidence, take a look at his win at the Swiss Challenge. Whilst admittedly at a different track, previous runners-up in that event include Bryce Easton (seventh in the Joburg Open 2020), Romain Langasque (runner-up at Firethorn in the 2018 SA Open) and Brandon Stone (huge form in his home country and two top-seven finishes here).
This fella has a game plan lacking in so many and is ready to win once more.
One to put in your 10-to-follow lists whatever happens this week.
Bryce Easton Win/Top 5/Top 10 +7000/+1200/+550
Possibly one for your prop bets in the top-10/20 market given his win record of three in 260 starts (and none since 2018) but there are signs he has the game to be better than that, and he brings a course record of 7/mc/3/mc suggesting if he was to show top form, here may be the place.
I doubt there is any improvement in the 34-year-old but given his form here and on the European Tour this year, he is worth a small punt.
Top-25 in Portugal probably puts him close to the top page this week, but that looks average compared with his eighth at the London Club in July and most recent seventh in Mallorca when he led at halfway with a stunning display of putting.
Easton’s short game continues to impress, and with many in this field seriously lacking in short game skills, a repeat of any of these better efforts should see him go closer than the market expects.
Jaco Ahlers – Win/First Round Leader +6600/+5000
The first-round leader market is a chancy one but have a couple of shekels on the 39-year-old who can celebrate his (and mine) recent birthday with a lead after day one and be a genuine contender for the overall title.
Despite getting it done on eight occasions from 253 starts, Ahlers is often heralded as a ‘thinker’ when in front, especially in this slightly higher class, however in the last three seasons, the Sunshine Tour stalwart has picked up four runner-up finishes (three this year) and 18 further top-10s, suggesting he is a prop bet cash machine at the prices.
This season, best effort numbers read well but look further, and we see a flying second place behind George Coetzee and a most recent tied-fifth behind Burmy, the hot favourite this week. Level with Schaper on that occasion, he rates fifth on overall ranking over the past three months (according to tour-tips.com), comprising top-25 in total driving, 23rd in ball-striking, 14th in total putting and fifth in par-five performance, an asset given a boost when considering the top-three on last year’s leaderboard ranked first or second in that regard.
Ahlers just may be in the right type of form to continue his current number one ranking for first-round scoring average, and with his last ten opening 18-holes giving clues – four top-10’s and four further top-20 first-round finishes – here’s hoping a relatively early tee time on Thursday brings rewards.
Enjoy.
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19th Hole
54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV
After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.
Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.
After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.
“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”
“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.
OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024
The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.
Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.
If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
Why Ludvig Aberg is my new favorite player – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing one of the new sensations in the world of golf – Ludvig Aberg. The 24-year-old finished solo second at the Masters a couple of weeks ago, and gained many plaudits, including from several WRXers.
- RELATED: ‘There were a number of red flags’ – Ludvig Aberg reveals why he turned down multiple LIV offers
One member, RoyalMustang, took to the forums to explain why Aberg is now their favorite player, saying:
“I loved the way the Ludvig was out there, having a great time, not taking himself or the situation too seriously. Even after the double at 11, he was like “well, that’s golf!” Loose and relaxed: that’s the way to play. It’s obvious he loves what he’s doing, he loves the big moments, and he loves being a part of it all.
Arnold Palmer was viewed that way. Just like Brooks Robinson was forever viewed as not just a great baseball player, but a great human being and friend to Baltimore.”
And our members have been reacting and sharing their positive takes on the young Swede.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- redfirebird08: “Ludvig has a great attitude, a great smile, and a great golf swing.”
- otto6457: “I’m very lucky to have talked with Ludde several times at the Rawls Course at Texas Tech. He’s a truly nice guy and very friendly. Always said hello when we passed each other in the club house and was always smiling. Watching him hit balls on the range was a joy. He has “that sound” and trajectory to die for. There were many times he was out on the range in 30+ mph winds just hitting the most beautiful shots that just seemed to ignore the wind. World class ball striker. And yes……..I am a fan boy.”
- konklifer: “I like him. In an era of endless waggles and laboring, his swing and pace of play are a joy to watch.
Entire Thread: “Why Ludvig Aberg is my new favorite player – GolfWRXers discuss”
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