Joburg Open Preview Picks and Analysis

Post by Sports Writer, Derek Clements 

THE Joburg Open is one of those events that hardly sets the pulse rating - the prize fund is pretty small and, as a consequence, the field is not exactly star-studded. But a win is a win and the usual two-year exemption still applies, along with everything else that goes with a victory on the European Tour.

It means that a few of the lesser lights will fancy their chances at the Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, while several others who are looking to rediscover their touch will be teeing it up with some optimism that this just might be the week it all comes back. Such a player is Trevor Immelman. He appeared to have the world at his feet when he won The Masters in 2008, but it turned out to be the last of his 11 victories. Still only 36, Immelman lost his PGA Tour card and has battled injury and abysmal form. He will feel that almost eight years in the wilderness is more than enough for any man to bear, but there are few signs that he will ever find his best again. 

Immelman is one of a host of South Africans hoping to win on home soil. You won't have heard of many of them, but George Coetzee, Jaco Van Zyl, Brandon Stone and Richard Sterne will be there or thereabouts. Stone is now the player on everybody's lips after his amazing victory in the South African Open at just 22 years of age. This boy can play -he is South Africa's answer to Matthew Fitzpatrick, and I believe that Fitzpatrick is a certain future major winner.

George Coetzee is or pick for the Joburg Open 

Another who is desperate for any sign of form is the brilliant young Italian Matteo Manassero. Still only 22, he has won four times on the European Tour, including the BMW PGA Championship. But he has fallen off a cliff, making just five cuts in 2015. The warning signs were there the previous year, when only a fourth-place finish  at the Scottish Open saved his season from being an utter disaster. His PGA victory means he has a 10-year exemption, and some have wondered if he has lost the hunger. Manassero insists that he is working as hard as ever, but his loss of form is a total mystery.

Two Englishman, David Horsey and David Howell, will feel they have a chance of contending, and they are certainly good enough. Horsey enjoys playing in South Africa, while Howell continues to improve and look more like the golfer who once occupied a place in the top 10 in the world rankings. As ever, if he plays well he will score well as he still has one of the best putting strokes in the game.

I still find it hard to credit that Tyrrell Hatton continues to look for his first victory on tour. He is a terrific young player who appears to have everything, including a great temperament. He has gone close time and again and is surely overdue a trip to the winners' circle. He seems to enjoy playing in this part of the world and could well be a factor.

And I have high hopes for Ricardo Gouveia and Sebastien Gros, who were the stars of the Challenge Tour in 2015. Some golfers struggle to make the transition, but these two are serious golfers who will surely keep their cards at a stroll and will contend for titles. Gouveia is already Portugal's top ranked player, while Gros will be inspired by the ever increasing number of top French golfers now plying their trade on tour.

Paul Dunne continues his fledgling professional career in Johannesburg while Edoardo Molinari attempts to reignite the fire. Dunne is looking to be remembered as somebody other than the amateur who led The Open after three rounds, while Molinari, a former US amateur champion and Ryder Cup player, is looking to be remembered by anybody! He used to be a formidable golfer, but suffered a series of injuries and lost his confidence. You sense that a couple of good weeks might see him turn the corner.

Joburg Open Betting Picks 

George Coetzee. Keeps improving

Jaco van Zyl. Must win soon

Brandon Stone. A rare talent who will take some stopping now

Joburg Open Fantasy Picks

George Coetzee. This could be a big year for George

Jaco van Zyl. Must prove himself

Brandon Stone. Has the lot

Tyrrell Hatton. A win is long overdue

David Howell. Back in the big time

David Horsey. Makes a lot of money

Ricardo Gouveia. Could make a big impression in 2016

Sebastien Gros. The latest French star

Lee Slattery. Now full of confidence

Anthony Wall. Plenty of life left in the old dog yet