The European Tour stays in Portugal wrapping up the three-tournament Iberian Swing with the dual-ranking Open de Portugal, which returns to the Tour schedule for the first-time since 2017. This is the third event to be ranked with the lower-tier Challenge Tour since the season resumed in July. It’s also the best chance for players to earn their Tour card, so expect some heated competition on the Royal Obidos Resort, which hosts for the first time. George Coetzee returned to the Euro Tour last week and promptly won the Portugal Masters. The South African is a heavy favorite to repeat and he also has big negative numbers in matchups. There is little value in backing Coetzee, but there are several tournament matchups worth taking a look at. Visit BookMaker.eu for updated matchup odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Open de Portugal Matchup Odds at BookMaker.eu
Nicolai Hojgaard +100 vs. Maverick Antcliff -120
Marcel Schneider -115 vs. Oscar Lengden -105
Bernd Ritthammer -125 vs. Andrew Wilson +105
Ryan Evans -115 vs. Christopher Mivis -105
Martin Simonsen -120 vs. Ricardo Gouveia +100
Jamie Donaldson -130 vs. Craig Howie +110
George Coetzee -325 vs. Jamie Abbott +265
Aaron Cockerill -130 vs. Richard Mansell +110
Garrick Higgo -150 vs. Jamie Donaldson +130
Julian Suri -160 vs. Stuart Manley +140
Wade Ormsby -130 vs. Scott Vincent +110
Espen Kofstad -105 vs. Ricardo Santos -115
Daan Huizing -140 vs. Harry Ellis +120
Julien Brun -115 vs. Marcel Siem -105
Romain Wattel -105 vs. Jens Fahrbring -115
Niklas Norgaard Moller +100 vs. Alexander Knappe -120
Santiago Tarrio Ben -110 vs. Roope Kakko -110
Allen John -110 vs. Per Langfors -110
Richard Mansell -115 vs. Gonzalo Fdez-Castano -105
Jose-Filipe Lima -110 vs. Andres Romero -110
Matt Ford +105 vs. Christofer Blomstrand -125
Wade Ormsby -135 vs. Bjorn Hellgren +115
Ashun Wu -120 vs. Alexander Knappe +100
Garrick Higgo -160 vs. Craig Howie +140
Liam Johnston -120 vs. Jens Dantorp +100
Aaron Cockerill -125 vs. Gonzalo Fdez-Castano +105
Pep Angles -105 vs. Elias Valas Falkener Bertheussen -115
George Coetzee -225 vs. Garrick Higgo +185
George Coetzee -340 vs. Craig Howie +280
Robin Sciot-Siegrist -130 vs. Scott Gregory +110
Oliver Lindell -125 vs. Henric Sturehed +105
Enrico Di Nitto +105 vs. Pedro Oriol -125
Bjorn Hellgren +125 vs. Scott Vincent -145
Niklas Norgaard Moller -110 vs. Ashun Wu -110
Need to Know
This tournament was part of the Euro Tour schedule from 1973-2010 and rose from a hiatus as a dual-ranking event in 2017. It’s been a stop on the Challenge Tour since. However, it’s never been played at Royal Obidos, so this is a first for everyone. Most of the big names are playing in the U.S. Open leaving the field thin. There are several top CT performers looking to make their mark, though. At 7,283 yards and par 72, the layout is a thing of beauty resting about a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. It doesn’t appear to be challenging with wide fairways and little resistance. Coastal winds are prevalent and six holes on the back nine have water hazards. I’ll hurt my shoulder patting myself on the back but it was another good week with my matchups. I was a perfect 5-0 for the second time in three weeks going 12-2 over that span. It’s time to keep the good times rollin.
Odds Analysis
Garrick Higgo -150 vs. Jamie Donaldson
We don’t have a lot to go on with a new course and a field consisting of plenty of Challenge Tour members. One such player is Higgo, the South African who won the Sunshine Tour Championship back in January for his third win on that tour. He competed in the dual-ranked Euram, Bank Open after the restart posting four sub-70s for a T6. He grabbed a T7 last time out at the Northern Ireland Open. The price is steep for a CT player, but Higgo is one of the best and I like his game.
Wade Ormsby -130 vs. Scott Vincent
We haven’t seen a lot from Ormsby recently, but as one of the bigger names in a watered-down field and being offered at a decent price I’ll back him. The Aussie showed he can play with a T3 at the Australian PGA Championship last December. A missed cut last week probably dropped his price a bit. He came out of the break in decent form, though, with a T25 at the UK Championship and T31 at the Andalucia Masters. Ormsby is a strong ball-striker, which should help him tame a new course.
Julian Suri -160 vs. Stuart Manley
I’m not sure I want to buy Suri at this price, especially after the troubles he’s had. Suri is another player in search of form and the less pressure involved with a dual-ranked event is something he needs. Remember, he has played on the big stage in the past and nearly cracked the top-50 world rankings just a few years ago. I’m counting on a bounce back effort that will hopefully restore the American’s confidence.
Richard Mansell -115 vs. Gonzalo Fdez-Castano
Mansell is another one of the bright young stars on the Challenge Tour. He also competed in the dual-ranked Euram Bank Open back in July posting the highest finish of his young career. He was in contention until a bogey on the 70th hole spoiled his chances. “I know I’ll have more chances. This week has given me a lot of confidence going forward,” the Englishman said after his runner-up finish. He currently ranks second in the Road to Mallorca standings after his T23 at the Northern Ireland Open.
Nicolai Hojgaard +100 vs. Maverick Antcliff
While twin brother Rasmus is in New York battling in the U.S. Open, Nicolai has his own title to win. Given the competitive nature of twins you can bet Nicolai is fuming over the fact he has yet to win on Tour while Rasmus has a pair of titles. This could be the field that offers up that first victory. Recent form is not very inspiring; however, the ability to play in the wind is something the Hojgaard’s talk about. And Nicolai was the more successful amateur so I’m counting on a better showing.
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