The DP World Tour returns this week with the ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland.
Galgorm Castle GC and Castlerock GC will play host to the competition, as the DP World Tour returns for the first time since the Open Championship.
With two cuts, one on Friday night and one on Saturday night, there is a different feel to this competition. Who will come out on top? Matt Coles gives us his picks for the week…
ISPS Handa World Invitational betting tips and preview
Venue: Galgorm Castle GC & Castlerock GC, Northern Ireland
Date: August 17-20
Defending champion: Ewen Ferguson (-12)
ISPS Handa World Invitational betting tips
Tom McKibbin @ 25/1 with William Hill
A DP World Tour winner this year, and he is on home soil this week. Tom McKibbin could be destined for another victory in front of his home crowd.
McKibbin hails from Holywood, just like a certain Rory McIlroy. If he has half the career that the four-time major champion has had, then we will see this young Northern Irishman win a lot over the next couple of decades.
He took his first DP World Tour victory earlier this year, winning the Porsche European Open by two shots. He has also held the 36-hole lead at the Singapore Classic, and this could be another week where he is near the top.
Playing on home soil could see McKibbin raise his game even more, and the Northern Irishman will want to perform in front of his family and friends. At 25/1 McKibbin to win this week is a great bet.
Connor Syme @ 40/1 with William Hill
Scotland’s Connor Syme might not be seen as one of the favourites for the ISPS Handa World Invitational, but his performances at this event have been trending in the right direction.
The Scot finished just outside the top 30 in 2021, but following the change from Massarenne to Castlerock as the second course, Syme finished in a tie for 2nd last year, behind only compatriot Ewen Ferguson.
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He has not been in the best of form recently, with only two top-15 finishes in the last three months. However, on two courses where he knows he has played well before, Syme could turn that around this week in Northern Ireland.
Jack Senior @ 125/1 each way with William Hill
Our outside bet this week is also a man that has won this event in the past. Jack Senior won the inaugural ISPS Handa World Invitational in 2019, when the tournament was on the European Challenge Tour.
The Englishman claimed his second win on the Challenge Tour with that victory, after beating compatriot Matthew Baldwin in a play-off.
Again, not a man in the best of form, with just two top-40 finishes in his last five tournaments on the Challenge Tour. However, as a previous winner of this competition, Senior could just find his form again this week.
Best of the rest…
Ewen Ferguson: The Scotsman is the defending champion of the ISPS Handa World Invitational having won the competition in 2022.
At 18/1, he is the third favourite behind Robert MacIntyre and Victor Perez this week. He loves these two courses, and he could week go back-to-back.
Eddie Pepperell: After what went down earlier this week on Twitter (X), Eddie Pepperell has a point to prove. He got into a spat with compatriot Lee Westwood about prize money on Monday.
The Englishman would love to perform well this week to back up his argument. At 40/1, he could be a good shout for some money this week in Northern Ireland.
Sam Bairstow: This is one of the outside picks for the week, but Sam Bairstow comes into the ISPS Handa World Invitational off the back of a victory.
He was the winner at the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge on the European Challenge Tour, and will be in great spirits. At 90/1, an each way selection might be worth your while this week.
Fancy a punt on this week’s action? Take a look at the latest odds with William Hill.
What do you think about our betting tips for the ISPS Handa World Invitational? Who is going to do well in Northern Ireland this week? Let me know with a Tweet!
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