Even though Martin Kaymer took the Race to Dubai, there is still great golf yet to be played this year. The Nedbank Golf Challenge boasts a strong field of 12 players and begins Thursday in Sun City, South Africa. Newly crowned World #1 Lee Westwood leads the online betting for the golf tournament, with South Africa’s own Ernie Els expected to make a strong challenge.
The $5 million Nedbank Golf Challenge offers $1.25 million to the winner. Some notable golfers have won it in the past such as Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo and Severiano Ballesteros. Westwood leads the odds this year after finishing second at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and tying for third at the Dubai World Championship (won by Robert Karlsson). But, he hasn’t won a European PGA Tour event this season and there are better options out there.
For one, there’s Els, a three-time champion at Nedbank. He could be the man to beat on his home soil and has the experience to boot. Look for fellow South African Retief Goosen to be up in the leaderboard come Sunday as well. Goosen won at Nedbank in 2004. British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen also joins the South African contingent, but Els and Goosen are the wiser bets.
Last year’s winner, Australian Robert Allenby, is in the middle of the pack. A better bet is Ross Fisher, who offers decent each-way value. The Englishman tied for 13th at the Dubai World Championship but threatened the leaders early. He may not always finish well, but he is a good bet to be the first round leader at 8/1 at William Hill. Steer clear of Miguel Angel Jimenez, who has finished 11th twice and 12th in his last three tournaments.
Nedbank Golf Challenge Winner Odds (provided by William Hill)
Lee Westwood: 3/1
Ernie Els: 11/2
Retief Goosen: 8/1
Ross Fisher: 8/1
Robert Allenby: 10/1
Padraig Harrington: 12/1
Justin Rose: 12/1
Tim Clark: 12/1
Louis Oosthuizen: 12/1
Anders Hansen: 16/1
Edoardo Molinari: 20/1
Miguel Angel Jimenez: 20/1