RORY MCILROY heads a terrific field for this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, with a host of other European stars in action, along with a smattering of LIV rebels to add the pantomime villains element.
McIlroy is as low as 7-2 with some bookmakers and 9-2 is about the best you’ll get – odds that don’t scream out ‘back me’, especially as the world No 2 has a tendency to get blown off course if the wind picks up.
Shane Lowry’s love of links golf means he has to be considered, especially after doing us a big favour at Wentworth.
But that win, and a share of fourth in this event last year, mean the bookmakers are also running scared where he is concerned. A general 11-1 – the same price as US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick – looks a bit skinny.
Tyrrell Hatton has a fantastic record in this tournament, with back to back wins in 2016 and 2017, and two runner-up finishes since. He looks good value at 16-1, but I think he may have to settle for a supporting role again.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Hot shot: Tommy Fleetwood, 20-1.
Fleetwood has finished second, fifth, and seventh in his last three appearances in the Dunhill, which underlines how comfortable he is playing links golf.
He was in cracking form before taking an eight week break from golf to deal with the death of his mother just after the Open – where he finished fourth, matching his effort at the Scottish equivalent a week earlier.
A stunning first round 64 when he returned to action at Wentworth was another big plus.
He could not maintain that start, with rustiness inevitably kicking in. But I will be amazed if Fleetwood does not claim a win before the end of this year.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
Most read in Betting Tips
Get up to £120 in free bets: Earn £10 every week + £5 towards your World Cup Pot
How to get free bets on football – the best bookies to claim rewards and bonuses
BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022 – SPOTY winner odds: Beth Mead favourite
Next Premier League manager sacked odds: Moyes price HALVED amid West Ham woes
Mid price: Danny Willett, 33-1.
The defending champion looks seriously over-priced, especially as there was nothing flukey about last year’s two shot victory over Hatton, with rounds of 67-69-66-68.
The 2016 Masters champion also has a runner-up finish and another top five here, and despite flowing back and forth to America he has posted a second and two other top tens in his last six starts.
Sure, the three putt from just outside three feet to gift Max Homa the Fortinet Championship a couple of weeks ago will sting.
But Willett is not the type to dwell on his misfortunes, and he could easily go one better again.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Long shot: Jeff Winther, 200-1.
It was tempting to put up Yannick Paul again at 100-1 after he rewarded each way backers at big odds in France with his share of eighth. But this is his first crack at the Dunhill, and it is likely to be a big learning experience.
Winther finished in a share of 14th last year, but looked like doing better until a weak back nine – highlighted by an ugly double bogey at the Road Hole – dropped him out of the top ten.
I expected him to kick on following his breakthrough victory at the Mallorca Open towards the end of last year, and a share of sixth in the hotly-contested Adu Dhabi Championship.
His form deserted him after that, but good performances in Switzerland and Denmark were followed by a share of eight alongside Paul in France. At double the odds, he gets the nod this time.
New customer sign up offers
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Betfair: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Max £/€20 refund on first bet. Bet must be placed in first 7 days of account opening. Only deposits made via Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.Org
Sky Bet: Get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. First single and E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 2 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. Begambleaware.org
William Hill: Bet £10 and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
18+. Play Safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply.
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply Begambleaware.org
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Source: Read Full Article
