16 July 2019, by:  BET Contributor

SAFFAS AT THE OPEN PREVIEW

Little is expected of the South African “charge” at Royal Portrush as the country’s best suffer through a lean period.

There’s been little to cheer about at Majors in recent seasons. Beyond Louis Oosthuizen’s “he’s going to do it, no he’s not” type runs, the rest of the nation’s top golfers have stuttered along. The arrival of Erik van Rooyen and Justin Harding on the scene has bolstered the stock but few would suggest the pair have Major status at present.

But that’s not to say The Open Championship in Northern Ireland couldn’t offer up another Major winner from South Africa. One gets the feeling that this week will be more like a European Tour event – where anything can happen and usually does – than a top tournament in the States. Few have course knowledge which means links specialists – Oosthuizen and Grace – come into play.

The weather is an unpredictable beast which could spit out half the draw on either of the first two days. That alone makes predicting a winner difficult but offers hope that the likes of Grace, Van Rooyen, Harding and recent winner Christiaan Bezuidenhout or even someone like Zander Lombard get amongst it with 18 to play.

Realistically, if you are looking for a South African to bet on it must be King Louis. At 57-1, it’s an attractive option. Throw on a little on Oosthuizen to place too because at 9.5-1 it’s too good to ignore.

Oosthuizen leads the market at 2.25-1 but if you’re looking to make something from the week then cast your eye towards Erik van Rooyen, next best at 3.70.

He may still be searching for Major No 1 but he’s
been in tremendous form. He ran it close last week in Scotland and was the SA top performer at this event last year.

Other option: Zander Lombard at 16.50 – he has course form, has shown a resurgence and made noise at this event in 2018.

There may be some joy here for the South Africans – Lombard at 219-1 to lead after 18? That sounds appealing. Slightly ahead of that is Brandon Stone at 199. Last year’s Scottish Open winner, remember he shot 60 in the final round to storm the field, is showing strong signs of a return to his best and could yet surprise early on.