The European Tour is back in action this week with an unusual format and new venue. The 2016 Aberdeen Asset Management Paul Lawrie Match Play gets started this week at Archerfield Links Golf Club in East Lothian, Scotland. The event is match play with 64 total players in the field.
Another unique aspect of the tournament is that host, Paul Lawrie randomly picks the matchups for Thursday’s first round matches. There aren’t any seeds or rankings, it’s totally random. Pretty cool!
The field is rather on the weaker side, as is the norm the week after a major championship. Alex Noren, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Chris Wood and Thomas Bjorn are the headliners, but in a match play format, anything can and usually does happen.
The tournament has a new venue this year. Archerfield Links Golf Club is the host track and tournament host, Paul Lawrie had this to say, “Archerfield will be a great venue for the tournament this year and Fidra Links is a brilliant course with a unique blend of pine forest and links golf.” Lawrie’s website adds: “Situated between the 8th hole at Muirfield and the 9th hole at North Berwick, it is believed that golf has been played over this land for five centuries or more.” Looking at the scorecard, what sticks out to me are the four Par 5’s that are easily reachable in two by all the players. This will add drama to the event and give everyone a fair shot.
Here's a look at the full list of matchups for ROUND 1
AM Tee Times
John Parry vs Haydn Porteous
David Horsey vs Sebastien Gros
Alvaro Quiros vs James Morrison
Graeme Storm vs Tommy Fleetwood
Simon Khan vs Pablo Larrazabal
Oliver Fisher vs Peter Uihlein
Morten Madsen vs Johan Carlsson
Robert Rock vs Gary Stal
Marc Warren vs Jorge Campillo
Magnus Carlsson vs Chase Koepka
Kristoffer Broberg vs Matthew Southgate
David Drysdale vs Michael Hoey
David Howell vs Richie Ramsay
Roope Kakko vs Gregory Havret
Chris Paisley vs Benjamin Hebert
David Lipsky vs Prom Meesawat
PM Tee Times
Richard Green vs Lee Slattery
Paul Lawrie vs Lucas Bjerregaard
Callum Shinkwin vs Eduardo De La Riva
Mike Lorenzo-Vera vs Alejandro Canizares
Jin Jeong vs Mikko Ilonen
Edoardo Molinari vs Max Kieffer
Oliver Wilson vs Nacho Elvira
Craig Lee vs Raphael Jacquelin
Joakim Lagergren vs Richard Bland
Anthony Wall vs Robert Dinwiddie
Thomas Bjorn vs Matthew Fitzpatrick
Matt Ford vs Pelle Edberg
Brett Rumford vs Chris Wood
Gareth Wright vs Daniel Brooks
Scott Jamieson vs Alex Noren
Stephen Gallacher vs Renato Paratore
( My Picks in BOLD )
ODDS ANALYSIS for 1ST Round Matches
Chris Wood has way too much game for Brett Rumford. Wood will look to impress Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke who will be following these matches closely.
Many of you may not have heard of Renato Paratore, so let me feel you in. He’s 20 years old from Italy and he can flat out play. He’s paired up against veteran Stephen Gallacher who is feeling his age and playing poor golf. Paratore wins!
Alex Noren is another player looking to impress Ryder Cup captain Darren Clerke. The Swede won earlier this year and with success this week, he will make his first Ryder Cup team.
Edoardo Molinari once was a promising player from Italy, but since has under performed and really is fighting to stay exempt for next year. Max Kieffer will win this match and it won’t be close.
I will be curious to see how Peter Uihlein performs this week after being sidelined for nearly two months. His opponent is Oliver Fisher does not impress me and the reason why I like Uihlein in this match.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go.
Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker sportsbook. The Paul Lawrie Match Play is scheduled for August 4-7 2016. Archerfield Links Golf Club will host the event and the Golf Channel will televise the event live.
