After two T2 finishes at 80/1 in the RSM Classic last week, Niall Lyons has three selection for this week's Australian Open.
Australian Open
The end of 2024 golf draws ever nearer but there's enough action on the DPWT to keep us interested all the way to Christmas week.
This week sees the return of Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club as joint hosts for the Australian Open which gets another solid field but never quite as much as the tournament deserves you feel.
Two years ago these tracks hosted the same event when Adrian Meronk romped to a five stroke victory over the home boy Adam Scott.
These sandbelt courses are similar to links courses in many ways so anyone with solid links form would be of clear interest with what can often be tricky tests in this part of the world.
ISPS Handa Tips
- 3pts each-way C.Davis 14/1 (1/5 6) Unibet, Livescorebet, Betmgm
- 2pts each-way V.Perez 25/1 (1/5 6) Skybet
- 1.25pts each-way K.Vilips 40/1 (1/5 6) Skybet
William Hill
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Cameron Davis at 14/1 (Six Places)
Cam Smith has gotten into the habit of finishing 2nd this year with no fewer than four runner up finishes and I can't help but be a little unenthused at the price given he has spurned the chance of a victory two weeks on the trot now.
When investing around the 6/1 mark you don't want too many question marks and unfortunately it just comes with too many risks.
With Niemann looking incredibly short in the market my preference is for Cameron Davis who had a good week at the PGA last week and can possibly go one better and equal his 2017 victory in this event.
There is a big weight with the home players here and with Davis having shown that he can cope with it before he makes more appeal than most towards the top of the market.
This isn't the Australian PGA and a win in this event is a lot more significant.
Min Woo Lee still doesn't convince me that he's playing as well as what he was this time last year and for me is easily passed over also.
Leishman maybe looks best equipped of the market leaders but at a handful of pts bigger Davis looks the much better option.
Alongside Smith and Niemann they are the only golfers heading the market with a couple of PGA Tour victories and for that reason they hold all the aces given the pressure they have dealt with before.
Four of the last 11 winners at this event have been winning it for the second time so former champions should definitely not be underestimated.
3pts each-way C.Davis 14/1 (1/5 6) Unibet, Livescorebet, Betmgm
Victor Perez at 25/1 (Six Places)
The list of winners at this event since 2013 reads McIlroy, Spieth, Jones, Spieth, Davis, Ancer, Jones, Meronk and Niemann.
That is telling and although the field could be stronger this is a prestigious event that demands an accomplished golfer to lift the trophy.
Value looks a little thin on the ground towards the top of the market so it is a matter of judgement as to who looks best equipped to cope with the test and I quite like Victor Perez.
The Frenchman didn't quite fire last week after an impressive opening 66 eventually finishing in a tie for 34th.
I feel he will be much better suited to a test such as this with solid links form including a win at the 2019 Dunhill Links Championship.
That is another positive for him this week given that he has already won on a multiple course event before.
Perez overcame Min Woo Lee to win in Abu Dhabi last year at another relevant course Yas Links so will not be afraid of the names towards the top of this market.
Karl Vilips at 40/1 (Six Places)
Angel Ayora looks a special talent and his performance last week suggests he is still learning on the job very quickly and he has every chance of making his mark once again.
It has been a very busy few months for the Spaniard though and my worry is that he slightly runs out of gas some time soon.
However, at around double the price of Neergaard Petersen I know which one I'd rather be playing.
Oliver Lindell was another Challenge Tour graduate who played reasonably well last week and this trio certainly have the capability of taking down one of the favourites.
Of those further down the betting one of the home contingent interests me and I believe Karl Vilips can make his presence felt back in his homeland.
Vilips was a highly decorated amateur until he turned professional in the middle of 2024 and what a journey he has been on since.
It took him four events to gain his first victory on the Korn Ferry Tour winning the Utah Championship back in August.
Numerous more solid finishes saw him gain his PGA Tour card for next year and the big hitting Aussie will be an interesting watch in the States next year.
His development has been quick and it would not surprise me should he take to this level quite comfortably and give himself every chance of a victory come Sunday.
Some of the players around him in the market, maybe Ayora aside have nowhere near the potential that Vilips has.
The field gets weak relatively quickly once you stray beyond the 50/1 mark and I'm happy to take the punt that Vilips gets off to a fast start on the DPWT.
