72-hole plays
72-hole plays
Mark McNulty to beat Warren Bennett -118 @
Easybets
Opposing Bennett who is not the most accurate of drivers and has only played once in South Africa before: he opened his 2001 campaign by finishing 73rd in the Alfred Dunhill Championship. Enormous potential if he remains injury-free, but have to side with the course specialist.
Steve Webster to beat Warren Bennett -105 @
BetInternet (0.5 units)
Webster is a regular player on the South African leg of the European Tour and has played consistently well in this part of the world. In the last four seasons, he has finished 20th, 3rd, 22nd, 13th in his opening event and they have all been in South Africa. Not likely to be rusty this week.
Jean Hugo to beat Darren Fichardt -110 @
Surrey
Fichardt secured three top-10 finishes in his last three events of 2001, including one win (Zimbabwe Open), but they were all weak Southern Africa Tour events. His record on the European Tour last year was woeful after winning the Sao Paulo Brazil Open in March. He missed 8 of 14 cuts and failed to record a single top-20. A better player in South Africa, but his errant driving will be punished on this course. Siding with Hugo who recorded three top-4 finishes on the European Tour last year.
Trevor Immelman to beat Darren Fichardt -115 @
Intertops (1.5 units)
9th in the Italian Open and 2nd in the Vodacom Players Championship is evidence that Immelman's form is returning. Long-touted as a player to rival Els, he could easily win this event if he finds the fairways enough times.
Carl Pettersson to beat Darren Fichardt +100 @
Bet365 (1.5 units)
Not another South African to Fichardt, but Pettersson was at the top of game at the end of last year. Am expecting a good week from the Swede, he should pass Fichardt early in the week.
Andrew Marshall to beat Mark Pilkington -110 @
Surrey (1.5 units)
One of the best drivers on the European Tour - ranked 6th in driving distance and 5th in driving accuracy - but one of the worst putters - ranked 182nd in putts per GIR and 186th in putts per round. Pilkington missed the cut in his only start in Southern Africa, so can't see a great week from the Welshman. More things are expected from Marshall who gained his Tour card by finishing 4th on the Challenge Tour Order of Merit.
Roger Winchester to beat Mark Pilkington +110 @
Camelot
Solid, unspectacular, Winchester can be counted upon to make the cut. He needs more top-10 finishes if he is to regain his Tour card, but solid should be enough against a player I expect to struggle.
