The English Open is back for the first time since 2002 in the form of the Cazoo Classic and we’re back in Kent just a few short weeks since The Open. The London Golf Club will play host to the European Tour’s finest this week, and there are three players I fancy to kick on from strong performances in Scotland. But first…
Venue: London Golf Club, Kent
Date: 12-15 August 2021
Course stats: Par 72; 7,327 yards
Course summary: Generously wide fairways open up the possibilities for bombers in this event, but one of the key measures for success here is consistently accurate approach play. Well-protected vast greens await the players, with water hazards adding that element of doubt when weighing up the risk against the reward.
Purse: €1.25 million
Defending champion: N/A (Darren Clarke won the 2002 English Open)
Cazoo Classic TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sport Golf (Red Button) from 12.30pm and Sky Sports Golf from 2pm
Friday: Sky Sport Golf (Red Button) from 2pm and Sky Sports Golf from 4pm
Saturday: Sky Sport Golf (Red Button) from 2.30pm and Sky Sports Golf from 4pm
Sunday: Sky Sport Golf (Red Button) from 2.30pm and Sky Sports Golf from 4pm
Cazoo Classic betting tips
As usual I’m joined by Steve Carroll on the Dialled In podcast to discuss my picks for this and the Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour. Listen using the player below or on your preferred podcast platform.
Don’t have time to listen? Here are three quick tips at the Cazoo…
Bazza’s Banker: Vincent Norrman @ 28/1 with Bet365
When you look at statistics on the European Tour, it is hard to ignore this young Swedish sensation. Norrman has finished in the top-15 in four of his five European Tour starts this season, and was 11th last time out. A 5th place finish at the BMW International Open is his best showing so far, and the form from that event makes him even more appealing here. In a field that included Viktor Hovland and Louis Oosthuizen, Norrman ranked 1st for SG: Tee-to-green and 2nd for SG: Off-the-tee. That performances was no fluke either, as he also ranks 1st for SG: Off-the-tee this season on the European Tour. Perhaps it is just his inexperience that has inflated his price, but either way, I want to take advantage while I still can.
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The outsider: Sean Crocker @ 66/1 with Bet365
Crocker has had an indifferent season so far, with a couple of recent top-11 finishes sandwiched between a few disappointing performances. This track should suit him however, with his length off-the-tee and accurate approach play certainly giving him an advantage at London Golf Club. The numbers back that up, as Crocker ranks 9th for SG: Tee-to-green and 13th for SG: Off-the-tee, so certainly shouldn’t have any problems creating scoring opportunities. At a big price, he makes for an appealing each-way bet.
The long shot: Lucas Bjerregaard @ 125/1 with Bet365
I am really surprised to see Bjerregaard at a three-figure price after his performance in Scotland last week. The Dane has improved on each of his last two starts, and a 10th place finish last week was actually less than he probably deserved. A second-round 62 showed a glimpse of the kind of form that made him a two-time European Tour winner, and if he can continue to improve this week then this price will look silly by Sunday.
For more prices visit Bet365.
