Santos Can Score Again

The European tour continues this week with what seems like the never-ending South African stretch of events at the Africa Open. There are far too many events at the start of the season in South Africa and I do not understand why. Yes the European tour wants to reach as far and wide as possible to attract players from all parts of the world but six events on this continent is way too many. All but a couple are of a below par standard and do not make for particularly good viewing. But enough of that and to the matter in hand, picking this week’s winner, and there is one player in this below standard event who has been in terrific form in the opening weeks of the season.

That player is Ricardo Santos, in his second season on tour and already a winner. That win came at the Madeira Island Open in his homeland when an unconsidered 300/1 chance. As is usual with players who find themselves in the winner’s enclosure unexpectedly Santos’s form tailed off after that win but he did manage to post another top ten before the season ended. Whatever he has been working on in the close season has certainly benefitted his game as this year he has finishes of 28th, 4th, 22nd, 7th and 3rd, in the process playing some great golf.

At 6’ 1 and just over 14st he is the archetypal modern day golfer. Long enough off the tee without being one of the game’s biggest hitters and with an all-round game to hold his own against the best this week should present the perfect opportunity for Santos to gain win number two. Last year’s winning score was 27 under par which suggests this tournament will be won by someone driving and putting well. Santos is more than capable of taking advantage of the par 5s, a must in low scoring tournaments, as he showed with two eagles in posting -11 for last week’s par 5s. If there is an area for concern in his game at the moment it is driving accuracy but at a course like East London if he is a bit wayward he may well get away with it.

On the other side of the water this week’s event is the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera CC. A tournament not known for producing big price winners, due to the penal nature of misplaced shots, my three off the tee are Australian Aaron Baddeley, a former winner and coming here in good nick on the back of a 12th placed finish last week. Bill Haas, last year’s winner in a playoff against Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley who comes here on the back of two top ten finishes and Brendan Steele, a player who I have been waiting to recapture his form for a number of months. Perhaps he is about too as his has shown gradual improvement in his three outings this term having finished 56th, 27th and 6th. A past winner in his debut season Steele has a big future ahead and could be overpriced this week.

Current odds

Ricardo Santos 18/1

Aaron Baddeley 40/1

Bill Haas 33/1

Brendan Steele 125/1