Leave it to the European Tour to come up with innovative ways to conduct a golf tournament. The third edition of the GolfSixes will be held outside of the United Kingdom for the first time when the tournament moves to Oitavos Dunes Golf Club on the Portuguese seaside resort of Cascais. The format has been well received by the Euro circuit members. The field consists of 12 two-man teams of European Tour players representing their home countries. Four mixed ‘wildcard teams’ are also entered. The teams are split into four groups of four and will play a round-robin format on Friday. The top two teams from each group advance to Saturday’s knockout stages. All matches are six-holes using the greensomes format.
Odds to Win GolfSixes Cascais at BookMaker.eu
Spain +500
England +600
Ireland +800
Australia +900
Denmark +1000
Sweden +1000
South Africa +1150
Italy +1200
Scotland +1400
India +1400
Thailand +1400
France +1600
Wales +2000
Germany Women +2800
Portugal +2800
England Women +4000
Odds Analysis
Ireland +800
The duo of Paul Dunne and Gavin Moynihan is back to defend its title from last year’s GolfSixes, albeit at a different venue. Team Ireland prevailed over the French at the Centurion Golf Club, and while they are playing a new layout, so is a majority of the field. Only seven players in the field have competed in a European Tour event at Oitavos Dunes and there is something to be said about playing in and winning the unique format event. “It will be exciting to defend our title at a new venue and I have heard great things about the area. Hopefully the Irish fans will come out in force to support us,” Moynihan said.
Spain +500
With Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira teeing it up, the Spaniards might have the most star power in the event, which is probably why they are the betting favorite. That doesn’t guarantee success, though. Campillo enters at No. 65 in the official world golf rankings, but he stumbled in his last two starts missing the cut both times. That came right after three straight podium finishes, including a win at the Trophee Hassan II. Elvira advanced to the round of 16 at the Belgian knockout and had two runner-up showings and another top-10 in seven previous starts.
Portugal +2800
This is a major longshot but why not take a chance on the hometown team of Pedro Figueiredo and Ricardo Gouveia. The host nation received a wildcard entry into the tournament and is represented by two of Portugal’s brightest young players. Back in 2016, Gouveia became the highest ranked Portuguese player in the history of the OWGR. His career has stalled a bit since, but teaming with his childhood friend should make the duo entertaining if not challenging. Figueiredo, meanwhile, had a stellar amateur career and his Challenge Tour title at last year’s KPMG Trophy graduated him to the European Tour.
Scotland +1400
If recent individual form has a bearing on the outcome of this event, it would be silly to look past the Scottish team of Stephen Gallacher and David Law. The two are joining forces and will be making their debuts in the unique format event. Both players have a win on the European Tour this season with Gallacher claiming the Hero Indian Open and Law hoisting the hardware at the ISPS Handa Vic Open.
Course: Oitavos Dunes Golf Club
With only six holes being played, there is no sense scouting the entire Oitavos Dunes layout. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the south coast near the resort town of Cascais, the course is ranked No. 1 in Portugal and 55th in Golf Magazine’s top 100. It’s a typical links-style course with wide, flat fairways and undulating greens. It’s always difficult to predict a winner with matches consisting of just six holes. That leaves no margin for error for any team. The greensomes format will have each team member hitting a tee shot and then alternating shots after that. Playing well from the opening tee shot is a must.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel
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