English Championship preview: TV times and betting tips
The UK Swing is in full flow now and after last week’s knock around Forest of Arden we move south to the glorious Hanbury Manor estate in Hertfordshire. Here’s everything you need to know about the inaugural English Championship…
Venue: Hanbury Manor, Hertfordshire, England
Date: August 6-9, 2020
Course stats: Par 71; 7,042yards
Course summary: Originally designed by Harry Vardon, and later added to by Jack Nicklaus II, Hanbury Manor is a picturesque parkland course that boasts two nines of contrasting style. The front nine is expansive and undulating with an American influence, while after the turn feels more traditionally British with tree-lined fairways and water to contend with. A true reflection of its designers.
Purse: £1 million
Defending champion: N/A
English Championship TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sport Golf from 11.30am
Friday: Sky Sport Golf from 11.30am
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 1.30pm
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 1.30pm
English Championship betting: Each-way tips
Matthieu Pavon (35/1 with bet365) had an impressive tournament at the Hero English Open, finishing T6 after a strong weekend. Pavon also showed signs of his best golf at the British Masters and it is this progress that gives me the confidence to back him here. Pavon is long and accurate off the tee, while also hitting more than 72% of GIR this season. If the Frenchman can putt well, he will have a great chance here.
Pablo Larrazabal (45/1) started his first round at Forest of Arden with a flurry of birdies and later described the round as one of the best of his career. Unfortunately the wheels fell off in the second round, but it is encouraging to see Larrazabal playing great golf and I am willing to side with him this week at a reasonable each-way price. The five-time European Tour winner has had a strong restart to competitive golf this season, and if he can produce more of his first-round exploits from last week we could be cashing in on Sunday.
As a big fan of Jordan Smith (50/1) I am prepared to look past his missed cut last week. He clearly has a lot of talent, and the missed cut has inflated his price to a point where he demonstrates great each-way value. When finishing T35 two weeks ago at Close House, Smith showed glimpses of the golf that won him his only European Tour title to date. With the rust shaken off after two competitive golf events, especially after a long break, Smith could surprise the bookies here and go close.
English Championship betting: The long shot
Alex Levy (90/1) showed signs of a resurgence last week at the Hero English Open and is certainly of interest at a huge price. As a five-time European Tour winner, Levy has the pedigree to challenge here. Similarly to his compatriot Pavon, Levy is a long and accurate driver of the ball who hits plenty of GIR (76%). The difference here is that Levy is nearly three-times the price, and with positive signs that the putter is improving I am feeling confident he can justify selection with a profitable each way return.
English Championship betting: Top tip
Rasmus Hojgaard (18/1) has been somewhat of a sensation since breaking onto the European Tour. After winning his first title in Mauritius last year, 19-year-old Hojgaard has had a fantastic start to the UK Swing, finishing 2nd and T6 in two events so far. If he can continue the form of his two previous events, he will not be far away from winning this.
For more prices, visit bet365.
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