The European Tour is approaching its climax and this week sees the first of three season-ending Rolex Series events. Many of the tour’s best have made the trip from the WGC-HSBC Champions and we look set for a thrilling competition.
The details
Venue: The Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Antalya, Turkey
Date: November 7-10, 2019
Course stats: Par-72, 7,133 yards
Course summary: The front-nine boasts wider fairways than the back, but trees are a constant feature. There are five par-5s, all of which will be reachable for the bigger hitters. Water is in play on eight holes.
Purse: €7,000,000
Defending champion: Justin Rose (-17, beat Haotong Li in a play-off)
Turkish Airlines Open betting tips: Players to follow
Eddie Pepperell (35/1 with bet365) offers value for both each-way and outright backers.
The Englishman seems to be enjoying a welcome return to form and the sort of performances that saw him become a two-time winner in 2018.
He has teed it up three times in recent weeks and was tied 3rd at the Dunhill Links, and tied 48th at the Italian Open. He tied for 6th at the Portugal Maters just two weeks ago.
Pepperell has had success at the Turkish Airlines – tying for 6th last year and solo 10th at this venue in 2014.
Lee Westwood (80/1) looks a good each-way bet. The Englishman hasn’t played a lot recently but did put in a decent showing when finishing in a tie for 56th at the Portugal Masters.
Despite having 24 European Tour wins to his name, Westwood has never won this event but did put in a series of good finishes when this was last the host venue.
He finished in 29th in 2013, was inside the top 10 the year after, and 11th in 2015. Since then he has had finishes of tied 52nd, tied 20th and tied 35th and his most recent victory came during this part of the season at last year’s Nedbank Challenge.
Westwood currently sits fourth in strokes gained approach stats, which could be a big asset given he’s not the longest driver of the ball.
George Coetzee (35/1) is in brilliant form, having finished 3rd at the Open de France when in with a genuine shot at victory. His most recent European Tour result is tied 14th at the Portugal Masters.
The South African ranked 19th in driving distance on tour last season so should be able to make the most of the reachable par-4s and 5s.
Coetzee took a trip back to his home country to play on the Sunshine Tour recently and came away with another trophy in the cabinet. His game is clearly in a good place.
Finally, Andy Sullivan (55/1) is also in good form.
The Englishman’s two most recent outings garnered finishes of tied 8th at the Portugal Masters and tied 23rd at the Open de France.
While not being one of the very longest on tour, he has the game to take this layout apart – proved by his tied 4th finish here in 2014.
For the latest prices, visit bet365.
