Betting tips: Who to back at the GolfSixes?
If you liked the revamped Zurich Classic last week then the GolfSixes – a team format with fireworks – should be right up your street.
Competing in greensomes match play over six holes, in a group and knockout format, 16 teams of pairs go into battle at Centurion over two days.
England are the clear favourites, assisted by the weighty world rankings of Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan.
It’s clearly a boon to the fledgling tournament to get such a prestigious pair but I wonder if 4/1 is a little short – even on so grand a combination.
They teamed up at the World Cup of Golf in 2016 but hardly set it alight – finishing only just in the top half.
The opposition’s a bit lighter here – the likes of Hideki Matsuyama, Rickie Fowler and Adam Scott turned up down under – but I’d really like a bit more bang for my buck.
Particularly having seen the group they’ve been drawn in.
Denmark, spearheaded by Thorbjorn Olesen, and The Netherlands – with Joost Luiten at the helm – will be no pushovers.
Neither will India, who could really be anything in this tournament.
I like the chances of France at 9/1. Alexander Levy’s coming off a win so confidence couldn’t be higher, while Gregory Bourdy’s a seasoned campaigner with some decent team form and a podium finish in China, just a couple of weeks ago, to draw on.
Thailand, represented by Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, could also enjoy an extended stay.
They’re not in the easiest of groups with Pablo Larrazabal in top form for the Spanish and the Scottish combination of Marc Warren and Richie Ramsay sure to be stubborn.
But Aphibarnat’s handy in match play – he won the Paul Lawrie at Murcar Links in 2015 – and Jaidee’s an absolute stalwart of team events.
With a Presidents Cup and a host of World Cup, EurAsia Cup and Royal Trophy appearances in the locker, this most consistent of players is still performing strongly and should not be under-estimated here.
At the bigger prices, South Africa, if they can sneak out of their group of France, Sweden and Italy, are intriguing.
20/1 seems on the large side for the combination of Brandon Stone and Darren Fichardt, both of whom have celebrated European Tour victories this term.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
