The short-lived True Thailand Classic – a co-sanctioned event from the European Tour and Asian Tour that took place in 2015 and 2016 – is back for 2023 and I’ve picked out a handful of players I fancy to contend. But before I get to my Thailand Classic betting tips…
- Also this week: Genesis Invitational betting tips
2023 Thailand Classic preview
Venue: Amata Spring, Thailand
Date: February 16-19, 2023
Course stats: Par 72; 7,505 yards
Purse: $2 million
Previous champion: Scott Hend (-18 in 2016)
TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf and Main Event from 5.30am
Friday: Sky Sports Golf and Main Event from 5.30am
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf and Main Event from 5.30am
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf and Main Event from 5.30am
2023 Thailand Classic betting tips
The Banker: Thorbjorn Olesen @ 22/1 with Bet365
I will not apologise for picking Thorbjorn Olesen again, as I genuinely believe a seventh DP World Tour win is firmly on the horizon for the Dane, and this drop in class will see him collect.
Olesen’s form has been trending in the right direction with form figures of 45-30-20-16-4 and really all that is left to do is win. Olesen missed out on a playoff by two shots at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic and given he left two putts an inch short on the back nine on Sunday, it’s fair to say he came close, even if he did have to hole some bonus putts on the front.
This multiple-winner, who is still just 33 years of age, is not being talked about for a Ryder Cup spot, but I believe he should be in that discussion, and maybe it is going to take an early win this year to create the right amount of buzz.
The Each-Way Play: Shubhankar Sharma @ 55/1 with Bet365
Shubhankar Sharma is an incredibly talented golfer, who knows how to win, and given he contends in stronger fields than this, a weaker field in Asia may be exactly what he needs to get over the line again.
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The Indian has not won since the 2018 season, with the second of two wins that year coming at the nearby Maybank Championship in Malaysia. His record in Thailand isn’t as strong, but given his current form, and just his overall ability versus a lot of this field, I think he is overpriced.
In his last four starts, he’s missed one cut in Dubai but has otherwise finished 2nd to Tommy Fleetwood at the Nedbank, 7th in a strong Abu Dhabi field and then 12th in another strong field, this time one that was arguably PGA Tour-quality at the Saudi International.
Playing as well as almost anyone in this field, Sharma is a great bet.
The Long Shot: Galvin Green @ 80/1 with Bet365
This one is more a FOMO pick than anything else. I was convinced at the end of last season that I would be heavily invested in Gavin Green this season, as he looked so likely to break through for his first DP World Tour win in 2022, but this is actually the first time I am betting on him.
The form hasn’t been good so far and this one is more a selection based on feel than any statistical evidence, as I suspect the Malaysian star can breakthrough in this part of the world.
Now given a better track for his style of golf, Green will have to use the driver a lot here and should he steer clear of the hazards and get in the mix over the first two days, I am now confident he can convert and get his first win!
It would be a big turnaround in form, but we do see them, especially in weaker fields and Green is a prime candidate at solid odds.
Another Each-Way Play: David Ravetto @ 125/1 with Bet365
Lastly, I am going to bank on one of the Q School Graduates playing well this week, as Frenchman David Ravetto continues to impress in his rookie season.
The Frenchman missed his first cut of the season at the Joburg Open, but he is 5/5 for made weekends since, and there have been some flashes of brilliance amongst those results as well.
Since missing that first cut, Ravetto has posted finishes of 30th, 23rd and 9th amongst his made cuts, and when 9th he was actually 2nd at the halfway stage in South Africa, so he’s already got some contending form under his belt.
Perhaps overshadowed so far by the fast-starting Dan Bradbury, this rookie is potentially being overlooked and after ranking 2nd in ball striking last week (8th driving Distance, 25th driving Accuracy, 4th GIR), Ravetto looks primed for another strong finish in Asia.
- Visit Bet365 for more prices.
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