Who to back at the Andalucia Masters
Andalucia Masters betting: Steve’s top tips
Soren Kjeldsen (20/1) hasn’t been seen in public since making the top 25 at the Made in Denmark in August. If he’s not suffering from ring rust, though, he’d have to be on your Valderrama shortlist.
Fourth last year, when this was the Open de Espana, he also won at the famous Spanish layout in 2008 at the end of season Volvo Masters.
That was sandwiched between two runner-up finishes at Valderrama. Even the most cynical of us must recognise that as superb course form.
Hot and cold this year, he can still look back to a top 10 at the Scottish Open. He also enjoyed a good week earlier in the year at the WGC matchplay.
Sergio Garcia (9/2) is hosting the event and anyone worried about whether those extra demands will affect his game should be pointed to his third placed finish last year.
It’s no surprise. Garcia is a master around Valderrama and hasn’t failed to post a top 10 in his last four visits. Go back even further in the history books and the short price looks even more palatable.
While his leaderboard position at last week’s Italian Open doesn’t look too much to write home about, he actually played quite nicely.
He could have kicked on but for a third round 70 when everyone else was knocking in birdies.
The price is what it is. But, at Valderrama, greens in regulation matter and there are few players in the world better at recording those than Sergio.
Andalucia Masters betting: Steve’s each-way bets
Andrew Johnston shot to stardom on the back of winning the Open de Espana and then igniting the galleries during the Open at Royal Troon.
Things haven’t gone to plan since, a largely unsuccessful spell on the PGA Tour followed by a shoulder injury.
Beef missed the cut on his return to action at the Italian Open but, given a two-month absence, that was to be expected.
Punters can take some encouragement from rounds of 70 and 69 on his return – even on a course that was so obviously a birdie fest.
Some of Beef’s better performances have come on tracks where par is a more reliable barometer of leading scores.
If he’s shaken off the cobwebs, he could do us a turn at 50/1.
Stephen Gallacher (66/1) has shown some signs of life in recent weeks. He’s recorded top 20s at the European Masters, British Masters and Dunhill Links.
If you peer back long enough into history, you’ll find a couple of decent showings at Valderrama too – notably a 12th on his last appearance here in 2011.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
