Africa Open 2013 Betting Tips

With the Accenture World Matchplay looming next week, the Africa Open, which is normally the inaugural event of the year has a much weaker field teeing off this week. Without the big guns here, that hopefully means that it will give some of those a bit further down the field the chance to grab a win at what is normally a very prestigious event.

The course this week is pretty short at a shade over 6,700 yards and looking at the stats from last year it looks like those that putted the best came out on top here. Another interest statistic posted by @Golf_Stats on Twitter today is that since this event has been co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Q-School graduates have finished 4th, 2nd and 2nd, so I will certainly be looking at them this week.

My first pick this week is Ricardo Santos, and although relatively short priced at 16/1, he has been banging on the door all year. With a few less proven winners in the field this week, and the kind of golf he is playing at the moment I feel that the fact he is so much of a bigger price than favourite Thomas Aiken, definitely makes him good value. Hopefully my first week being on him can bring his first win of the year.

The second player I am going to back this week is Trevor Fisher Jnr, who had a very good tournament until the closing stages last week, however he was up against the likes of Richard Sterne, Charl Schwartzel and George Coetzee- which he will not face this week. From his interview on the European Tour website it looks like he has certainly taken the positives from the experience, and feels it has given him the confidence to believe he can compete at the top. 

Next on the list is the Scotsman, David Drysdale at 35/1. I very nearly backed him last week, and was starting to get worried when he was playing well. He's a good ball striker who holes plenty of putts, and with the shorter track this week, his 280 yard average driving distance shouldn't hinder him. He's long been fancied for a win, and this week is as good a chance as any.

My final choice is based on the fact that Q-School graduates have tended to well here recently, and at 125/1 I am going to have a small punt on Bjorn Akesson. He's made a good start to his European Tour career with 3 made cuts- two of which are top-25s. This could be his chance to really stamp his name and get his career off to the perfect start. Of course motivation will be very high for him and this is another factor that makes me believe he can have a good week.

This weeks picks:

• 2pts e/w Ricardo Santos at 17.0 (Various)
• 1pt e/w Trevor Fisher Jnr at 36.0 (Various)
• 1pt e/w David Drysdale at 36.0 (Various)
• 0.5pt e/w Bjorn Akesson at 126.0 (Coral)

Sporting Bet are offering 6 places e/w this week!

Good Luck everyone!