European Tour preview: Scandinavian Mixed TV times and betting tips

What used to be the Scandinavian Masters and then the Scandinavian Invitation is now the Scandinavian Mixed as the European Tour and Ladies European Tour join forces.

Hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam, there are 78 players from each tour taking part, competing for the same prize money, so with plenty of avenues to consider picking a winner in this won’t be easy.

But I have plucked out three that I think have a great chance this week…

RELATED: Five LET stars to watch in 2021

Scandinavian Mixed details

Venue: Vallda Golf and Country, Gothenburg, Sweden

Date: June 10-13, 2021

Course stats: Par 72; 7,060 yards (men); Par 72; 6,138 (women)

Course summary: This quaint course has a heathland feel to it, with tall fescue contrasting the immaculate fairways. Whilst short in length, the course is by no means simple, with tricky green complexes that will pose questions of player’s short game prowess. The creative bunkering and undulating nature of the greens add increased importance to short game success, so that would be a good measure to start with when looking to find a winner this week.

Purse: €1 million

Defending champion: Erik van Rooyen (Scandinavian Invitation)

Scandinavian Mixed TV times

Thursday: Sky Sports Golf from 12pm
Friday: Sky Sports Golf from 12pm
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm

Scandinavian Mixed betting tips

Bazza’s Banker: Jacques Kruyswijk @ 55/1 with Bet365

In an event like this, value is everything. That is why I am putting up Kruyswijk at ludicrous price as my banker this week, as he appears to be overpriced on a course that should suit him. Kruyswijk currently ranks 1st for SG: Off-the-tee, 5th for SG: Tee-to-green, 2nd for SG: Approach and 6th for SG: Putting. His length off-the-tee will certainly be an advantage, but it is the strength in his short game at present that will benefit him most. Whilst Kruyswijk is yet to secure a European Tour win, he arrives off the back of four top-10s and six top-20s in his last seven starts. When considering all these factors, I cannot fathom why you can still get such a huge price on him to win and I will certainly be looking to take advantage.

The Each-Way Shot: Sanna Nuutinen @ 66/1 with Bet365

This intriguing event looks like a great opportunity for a player to pick up their first tour win, and this week it could be the turn of Sanna Nuutinen. In all three events that she has played on the Ladies European Tour this season, Nuutinen has finished in the top 10, with a third place finish at the Jabra Ladies Open. Nuutinen also currently sits 4th in the Race to Costa Del Sol and 6th for Stroke Average this season. When you consider the clear improvement in her game over the last twelve months, she certainly represents each-way value at this price.

The Outsider: Olivia Cowan @ 75/1 with Bet365

Quite frankly I cannot believe I am putting this selection up as an outsider, mainly because the price should be much shorter and I really like her chances. Cowan is another player who has been steadily improving on the Ladies European Tour, with a runner-up and third place finish in her last four starts. In fact, Cowan has not finished outside the top-23 in her last eight starts on the Ladies European Tour, and that shows in her stats as she ranks 8th for Stroke Average this season. At a huge price, this screams value and it would not be out of the question for Cowan to take home the title.

For more prices visit Bet365.