South African Open 2010

The 100th running of the 2nd oldest golf tournament takes place at Durban Country Club this week, an event that has seen just 8 non South African winners in its entire history. The defending champion, Richie Ramsay ended a 8 year sequence of home grown winners which had included Major winners, Els, Goosen & Immelman. So with the grass type being a crucial factor in favouring the home players, please forgive me for sounding repetitive in putting up yet again, Thomas Aiken. This weeks he goes off as a 28/1 shot.....better odds than last week due to the field including Ernie, Goose & Tim Clark (twice winner here). Aiken finished well last week (makes a change!) to finish 5th and he can go even better this week. He is at a different level at home and it cant be long now before he wins again. Of the favourites, I like the chances of Charl Scwhartzel @ 12/1. Slow starter last week, he did finish top 5 also in the end, and should be warmed up nicely for this. I backed James Kingston last week and but for his 77 on Saturday he would have challenged for the title. He bounced back on Sunday for a tie for 10th and that means I will stick with again this week.

TIP 1 3 pts WIN Charl Schwartzel @ 12/1 (Betpack). In form and will want this title to cap a good 2010 but moreso to kickstart the new season. Has the allround game to win this week and its a very confident selection this week.

TIP 2 1 pt e/w T.Aiken @ 28/1 (Betpack). Finished 5th last week and plays much better on home soil. If he can put 4 good rounds together he can win. (of course the winner needs to but the case for Aiken is that he seems to produce 3 decent rds each week with 1 poor rd, needs to get a good start)

TIP 3 1 pt e/w J.Kingston @ 33/1 (Betpack). Former winner and top 10 finish last week, but for his 77 on Saturday he would have challenged for the title. He bounced back on Sunday for a tie for 10th and that means I will stick with again this week.