DP World Tour preview: Joburg Open TV times and betting tips
With the 2021 season and the European Tour as we know it sailing off into the distance, there is no time to dwell as we welcome the DP World Tour to our lives. The 2022 season kicks off in Johannesburg, with the Joburg Open at the iconic Randpark, and while it is a somewhat lighter field there is still plenty of value to find in the betting markets. Who will win the first ever DP World Tour title? But before you get your free golf betting tips…
Joburg Open: The details
Venue: Randpark Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa
Date: November 25-28, 2021
Course stats: Par 71; 7,506 yards
Course summary: The Firethorn course at Randpark is a relatively easy parkland track, set at altitude. This will affect how far the ball will travel, meaning the course will play much shorter than advertised. The main defence offered by the course is the carefully positioned water hazards, along with deep bunkers that protect the greens. Players with experience at altitude will have an advantage here, at an event where birdies should be free-flowing and it could be a race to the finish on Sunday.
Purse: £825,000
Defending champion: JB Hansen (-19)
Joburg Open: TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sport Golf from 10am and Sky Sports Main Event from 11.30am
Friday: Sky Sport Golf from 10am and Sky Sports Main Event from 11.30am
Saturday: Sky Sport Golf from 10am
Sunday: Sky Sport Golf from 10am
Joburg Open: Staking plan
Bazza’s Banker: Dylan Frittelli @ 18/1 with bet365
I see this as a signal of intent that Johannesburg born PGA Tour regular Frittelli makes the journey over to South Africa to compete this week, and let’s face it – this field isn’t going to frighten him. Many of his PGA Tour colleagues are taking the well-earned rest in the off-season, but Frittelli should see this is an opportunity to add more silverware to his impressive CV.
A steady start to the wrap-around season is certainly encouraging for this selection, but it is last season that I am more interested in. Frittelli dazzled on the biggest stages in 2021, finishing 5th at the Open Championship and the Masters. He also impressed with his short game, ranking 15th for SG: Around-the-green, which as we know is a key measure for success here. In his last three events he ranks 15th for SG: Tee-to-green and whilst his putting is not perfect he will be used to these types of surfaces having grown up locally. He looks too big at double the price of the favourite and I think he stands out above the rest in this field.
The Each-Way Play: Jacques Kruyswijk @ 45/1 with bet365
It is a much-anticipated return to the selection sheet for one of my early season regulars Kruyswijk, and it is easy to see why I can’t resist him at this price. The South African had a great season in 2021, ranking 1st for stroke average on the European Tour courtesy of five top-10 finishes. Kruyswijk has also been a winner recently, at the Sunshine Tour Invitational, and has finished in the top-20 on five of his last ten starts worldwide.
Kruyswijk has the perfect game for Randpark as he ranked 12th for SG: Around-the-green, 23rd for SG: Off-the-tee and 25th for SG: Putting in 2021. The majority of his best career finishes have come in this part of the world, and at a big price he is an exciting each-way contender.
The Longshot: Daniel Gavins @ 66/1 with bet365
With a maiden win under his belt, and a solid run of recent form, I can’t believe you are getting a price this big for Daniel Gavins. In recent weeks the Englishman has finished 6th in Scotland and 11th in Spain, while a T44 finish in Dubai most recently doesn’t tell the true picture of four solid rounds of golf. His win at the World Invitational came after a similar run of solid form, suggesting he may be a player to get behind when hot.
Gavins was 7th in Cape Town at the start of 2021, and has some course experience to draw upon at Randpark. Despite less than appealing finishes in the South African Open when it was hosted here, Gavins is on an upward trajectory and he may be able to learn from his mistakes at previous visits. His solid short game, ranking 15th last season on the European Tour, should help him here and I like his chances with lots of value on offer.
