Golf betting tips: Irish Open

This week on the European Tour is the Irish Open at one of the finest golf courses in the world, Royal County Down. With the weather forecast for wind and rain I think we are in for a real cracker.

With outsiders holding sway in recent events and my outside picks faring much better than my short priced ones, I have concentrated on those lower down the betting order.

Graeme Storm was always going to be my number one pick this week, initially due to the fact that he returns to a course he has fond memories of as he won the Amateur Championship around Royal County Down back in 1999. He does seem to reserve his best for certain courses: generally linksy, seaside venues or those that need to be carefully plotted around.

Top 100 links courses in GB&I: 1 – Royal County Down

His form up until a few weeks ago was pretty dire but something definitely clicked with a final round 68 in Spain, and last week he produced his best ever finish at Wentworth including a 64 in round two. Whilst researching the cause of his upturn in form I read that he teamed up with a new coach in China at the end of April, and it seems he is now reaping the rewards. He often gets off to fast starts so I have also covered that angle £30 ew 300/1 + £55 400 Betfair + £10 ew 125/1 FRL

Young Kevin Phelan would love to win his home Open and does have some course experience as an amateur, and says he loves the place. With a second and two thirds in his last ten events he does seem to be overpriced this week £20 ew 200/1 + £5 300 Betfair.

I will take a small risk on Magnus A Carlsson this week who, like Storm, had his best ever finish at Wentworth last week. That finished came on the back of a solid bank of form including an 8th in China.

Kaymer, Donald & Reed added to Irish Open field

The Irish Open (albeit on a very different course) last year provided his best finish of the season and his one pro win on the Challenge Tour came in Ireland, so there may be something about the place he likes.

The one problem is that he only ever tends to be on the fringes of contention, and seems to be a bit of a journeyman pro who earns his money from top ten finishes. In fact, he has a 10% strike rate in that department, hence the staking plan £15 win 440 average + £25 16/1 top ten

Top 100 links courses in GB&I: The top 10

I also spotted a big price on in form Gregory Havret and felt he was worth a small risk at the price £10 win 240. I could well add to these plays in running, with the weather set to be testing!