Ginger Joe sides with four in this week's Hainan Classic at Mission Hills Golf Club.
Hainan Classic
The DP World Tour returns this week with the Hainan Classic at Mission Hills Golf Club, a course that sets up beautifully for well-rounded players.
Success here demands a strong all round game, so a solid tee-to-green performance combined with reliable putting is welcomed. Missed greens can be heavily punished, so I tend to favour precise approach players and confident putters over those who rely on short game brilliance as such.
Consistency is key around this layout. Looking at past results, most players will have a flat round or two, but keeping those lesser rounds near level par, while mixing in three under-par rounds, usually puts you firmly in contention.
I’ve put together a four-man squad for this event, and I’d also recommend 12 x 0.25pt each-way doubles with my three-man LIV Golf selections.
Hainan Classic 2026 Tips
FREDERIC LACROIX - 1pt each-way at 28/1 (7 places - Ladbrokes & Coral)
DAN BRADBURY - 1pt each-way at 30/1 (7 places - Ladbrokes & Coral)
MARCUS ARMITAGE - 1pt each-way at 45/1 (7 places - Ladbrokes & Coral)
UGO COUSSAUD - 1pt each-way at 55/1 (6 places - Star Sports & Bresbet)
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Frederic Lacroix at 28/1 (Seven Places)
Frederic Lacroix finished tied second for us in the South African Open two weeks ago, and he was superb throughout the tournament.
He opened with solid rounds of 69 and 71, before really kicking on over the weekend with excellent rounds of 64 and 65. This week’s course should suit solid ball strikers, as hitting a high number of greens in regulation is crucial here, and that’s exactly where Lacroix has been thriving over the past couple of events.
Not only did he finish runner-up in South Africa, but the week before he also recorded a tie for ninth in the Kenya Open in what was a strong field.
His game looks in excellent shape right now, and I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if he had opened a little shorter in the betting this week.
In a field that doesn’t look packed with quality, Frederic Lacroix should have every chance to make a big impact again.
FREDERIC LACROIX - 1pt each-way at 28/1 (7 places - Ladbrokes & Coral)
Dan Bradbury at 30/1 (Seven Places)
I’ve never been the biggest fan of backing players to go back-to-back, but Dan Bradbury looks capable of another big week here. He was very impressive when winning the Joburg Open, and with three DP World Tour titles already to his name, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him add a few more before potentially making the move to the PGA Tour next season.
Like Frederic Lacroix, Bradbury stands out this week as a player with a solid tee-to-green game. The difference is that Dan Bradbury tends to be fairly streaky, he’s either right on it, or nowhere near.
He finished solo fifth at the Qatar Masters before missing a couple of cuts, but then bounced back in style to win the Joburg Open with rounds of 64, 70, 64, and 65, which are very impressive numbers around Houghton Golf Club.
If he turns up with that same level of play this week, he should be capable of posting another strong number and has to be one of the more appealing options in the field.
DAN BRADBURY - 1pt each-way at 30/1 (7 places - Ladbrokes & Coral)
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Marcus Armitage at 45/1 (Seven Places)
I think Marcus Armitage is a really good fit for this golf course, and his game is becoming much more reliable this season.
He is a winner on Tour having taken the European Open back in 2021, and this season he is showing signs of that form returning. He has already notched up two top 10’s this season and his ball striking is on point right now.
This course demands a strong game from tee to green, and even though from the tee his game isn’t the best, his irons at the moment are exceptional and this could be the decisive factor to seeing him notch a second DP World Tour title.
He isn’t an obvious choice this week, but her is certainly starting to find his game, and a win may only be around the corner.
MARCUS ARMITAGE - 1pt each-way at 45/1 (7 places - Ladbrokes & Coral)
Ugo Caussaud at 55/1 (Six Places)
Big fan of Ugo Caussaud and it’s crazy to think he is yet to have broken his maiden on the DP World Tour. He is a seriously good player with regards to the long game, and he should be able to hit plenty of greens in regulation at this track.
His world ranking of 238 should give you a hint of the calibre of player he is, and a win would have him much higher in the rankings too. He definitely has the class to win an event like this, it’s just about catching him at the right time.
Tee to green he is fantastic, and if he can get the putter rocking, he may not be far away. I think he will play really well out in China, the course looks ideal for him.
UGO COUSSAUD - 1pt each-way at 55/1 (6 places - Star Sports & Bresbet)
