The European Tour now heads to the Canary Islands for a three-week stint, starting with the inaugurual Gran Canaria Open. Before we get onto who I fancy to challenge this week, here is all the information you need…
Gran Canaria Open details
Venue: Meloneras Golf Club, Gran Canaria, Spain
Date: April 22-25, 2021
Course stats: Par 71; 6,500 yards
Course summary: This resort style track was designed by Ron Kirby in 2006, and hosts the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open in its inaugural running. The course is a relatively easy, with minimal rough, where wind should be the only factor that could cause problems for the players.
Purse: €1.5 million
Defending champion: N/A
Gran Canaria Open TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 2pm
Friday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 2pm
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 1.30pm
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 1pm
Gran Canaria Open betting tips
As usual, I’m joined by NCG’s Steve Carroll to discuss my betting tips for the Gran Canaria Open on the Dialled In podcast. I’ve picked out three players who I fancy to go well this week.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below, or on your preferred podcast platform.
Bazza’s Banker: Antoine Rozner – @ 11/1 with Bet365
The Frenchman was in fine form on his brief PGA Tour stint, with a shock win over Bryson DeChambeau emphasising the skill he possesses. Now back on European soil, Rozner has a fantastic chance to secure his third European Tour win. His most recent victory actually came just a few weeks ago at the Qatar Masters, and when you look at his recent performances their is no reason to say he will not transfer his solid form to this course. Rozner has finished in the top-26 on every start so far this season, and currently ranks 11th for SG: Total this season. As one of the market favourites, I fully expect another bold show from Rozner this week.
Jamie Donaldson – @ 45/1 with Bet365
Jamie Donaldson is a player who has seen a real improvement in his form over the last 12 months, with the obvious highlight being a runner-up finish in South Africa towards the end of 2020. His form this season has been respectable, with a 5th place finish in Qatar three starts ago, so should fancy his chances to secure a fourth European Tour title. The most relevant piece of form in my opinion is his two solid performances in Cyprus last November, on a similar resort style track. His third place finish at the Cyprus Open suggests this type of venue should suit, as he is an accurate driver of the ball that hits plenty of GIR. At this price, the Welshman represents great value for an each-way bet.
Marcus Armitage @ 50/1 with Bet365
A couple of solid efforts from Armitage recently may have come at just the right time as he returns to a resort style course attempting to win his first European Tour title. Armitage was 12th and 14th when playing at Aphrodite Hills in 2020, and that could prove a tenuous form link based on the similar style of course. A 4th place finish last time out came courtesy of a final round surge, with a T10 in Kenya the start before highlighting an upturn in form. The Englishman was 13th for SG: Approach and 16th for SG: Putting last week, so should have plenty of opportunities to score well and at a big price could be a great each-way shout.