Trophée Hassan 2012

Was in two minds this week whether to opt for the Bay Hill Invitational in the US or stick with the European Tour as its a low key affair in Agadir, Morocco this week. Having had a look at Bay Hill, I found the odds of low value especially for Sergio Garcia @ 25s, Mahan 25s and possibly Haas @ 40s. (My 3 picks for it). I went back to Europe and decided on taking a chance on better value for the Trophee Hassan.

I put up Shane Lowry last week and he almost delivered a nice placing but for 2 late bogeys over his final 3 holes. With golf betting it pays to stick with your tips over a spell and with the course being a links with some wind thrown in for good measure I am gonna stick with Shane Lowry again this week at a rather generous 60/1 with Bet365. The Irishman has had a slow start to the season but his tied 6th last week will give him confidence for this week and if he can just get a decent opening round under his belt he should be up there.

My second selection this week is Alex Noren @ 40/1 with Bet365 also. Regular readers will know I am a fan. He stepped up last year but this year has been slow to get going. Following a nice relaxing break in New York & Monaco the Swede comes here well rested and practiced. He is one of the better players teeing it up here and I do expect him to be on the leaderboard. He has a midday start on Thursday and tees it up alongside Pablo Larrazabal and Jbe Kruger before an early start Friday. Good grouping and good tee times - no excuse then Alex ! I have opted for Alex over Jaco Van Zyl who can be backed at 22/1 with Paddypower, the South African is playing very well lately and is the main threat this week obviously as he is in form plus he was beaten here in a play-off last year by David Horsey but the value is with Noren as far as I am concerned- just!.

My third selection is Raphael Jacquelin who had a superb weekend last week in Malaga. He heads to Morocco in form a week before heading to Sicily to defend a title he won last year. The Frenchman can be streaky and with the trip to Italy surely on his mind, and that being a positive thought, he can use those good thoughts to go well here this week. 50/1 for the 3 time European Tour winner is excellent value with Bet365. He tees up alongside Van Zyl and Marcel Siem (also in decent form lately) so this threeball should bring each other along very nicely.


TIP 1: 1 pt e/w S.Lowry @ 60/1 Bet365

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w A.Noren @ 40/1 Bet365

TIP 3: 1pt e/w R.Jacquelin @ 50/1 Bet365

Trophee Hassan 2011- Keeping faith with Ollie Wilson

On and upwards this week, the week before the Masters at Augusta. Its another mediocre field assembling on yet another new venue for this tournament in Morocco where previous Morrocan Open golf tournaments have been won by an illustrious list of whos who on the European Tour. Last years event was won by Rhys Davies who just edged out Open elect Louis Ousthuizen. With little course form to go on, the criteria needed for the winners enclosure suggests those that are in form and possess good GIR & putting stats are the ones to watch as both courses are relatively short, this being a PRO-AM also, the course should be playing easier than most weeks. Raphael Jacquelin heads the betting at 14/1 and he did make my short list of 7 who I think will win this week. That grouping of mine does include 3 selections I have made over the past couple of weeks who missed the cut, but I have given the thumbs up to Oliver Wilson to get going again this week. Chris Wood could also do well here but I have decided to overlook him and have opted for his countyman, David Howell who seems to be gradually getting back to his best and his putter seems to be getting hotter & hotter each week too. A crucial ingredient to do well this week is putting and with little emphasis on driving this could be a tournament that will suit Howell and at 50/1, yes please I'll have a wee interest in him. Again, the decision to make that third and decisive choice rests between Joost Luiten, Darren Clarke and Nicolas Colsaerts with the latter being the choice @ 45/1. The Belgian was ultra consistent last year and is finding form again lately, boasts 9th in GIR rankings and this could help him get close to making birdie putts this week.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w Oliver Wilson @ 55/1 (Boylesports); Missed cut badly last week but closer look shows errors at the wrong time on a few holes. Has the temperament to bounce back

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w David Howell @ 50/1 (Bodog Sportsbook); Looking to be getting back to his best and short course should see him do well here...consistent lately has early start Thursday and a real value bet at these odds.

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w Nicolas Colsaerts @ 45/1 (Boylesports). In good form, has great GIR stats which are vital for these courses, deserves a win and quite capable of getting it.