The European Tour heads to Italy this week for the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open where Andy Sullivan is listed as the favorite. None of the top players in the world are in the field this week, as this event is being held at the same time as THE PLAYERS in Florida. It was team play last week on the European Tour in the GolfSixes, so we really didn’t have any true matchup plays. We’ll look to have a big week with the matchups for the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open.
Rocco Forte Sicilian Open Matchup Odds
Andy Sullivan -125 vs. Thorbjorn Olesen
Andy Sullivan -240 vs. Sam Horsfield
Andrea Pavan -120 vs. Alvaro Quiros
Julien Guerrier -135 vs. David Horsey
Julien Guerrier -150 vs. Mike Lorenzo-Vera
David Horsey -115 vs. Mike Lorenzo-Vera
Eddie Pepperell -115 vs. Alvaro Quiros
Thorbjorn Olesen -205 vs. Sam Horsfield
Lucas Bjerregaard -125 vs. Joakim Lagergren
Scott Vincent -130 vs. Marcus Fraser
Jason Scrivener -130 vs. Paul Waring
Andrea Pavan -120 vs. Eddie Pepperell
Matthias Schwab -125 vs. Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Bradley Dredge -160 vs. Sebastian Heisele
Tom Lewis -115 vs. Haydn Porteous
Jacques Kruyswijk -130 vs. Jens Fahrbring
Lee Slattery -115 vs. Austin Connelly
Nino Bertasio -125 vs. Pedro Oriol
Mikko Korhonen -115 vs. Romain Langasque
Soren Kjeldsen -140 vs. Jeff Winther
Lorenzo Gagli -115 vs. Ajeetesh Sandhu
Matteo Manassero -140 vs. Trevor Fisher, Jr.
Anthony Wall -115 vs. Jazz Janewattananond
Sebastien Gros -115 vs. Tapio Pulkkanen
Rocco Forte Sicilian Open Matchup Picks
Before we get to the picks there are a few things to consider. The field for this event is weak, so taking a longshot could be the way to go. Verdura is a par 71 that measures 7,217 yards but distance off the tee is important because of the wind that usually affects this course. Alvaro Quiros is the defending champion and he is a bomber off the tee. Nicolas Colsaerts tied for 3rd in this event three years ago and he is another big hitter. Nine of the 18 holes on this course are played along the coast and that usually means wind.
Thorbjorn Olesen -105 vs. Andy Sullivan
I said in the odds preview that I thought Olesen should be favored and not Sullivan. Olesen won this event six years ago when it was known as the Sicilian Open. Olesen has said he has great love for Verdura and I expect him to contend for the win this week.
Thorbjorn Olesen -205 vs. Sam Horsfield
I know the price is high, but I want as much of Olesen as I can get this week. He has far more experience than Horsfield and looks to be very motivated to get the win this week.
Julien Guerrier -150 vs. Mike Lorenzo-Vera
One of my longshots to win this week is Guerrier and I like him in this matchup against Lorenzo-Vera. I was not impressed with Lorenzo-Vera last week in the GolfSixes and I think Guerrier is the clear choice in this matchup, as he finished in a tie for 8th in this event a year ago.
Lucas Bjerregaard -125 vs. Joakim Lagergren
Bjerregaard finished third in the Italian Open last year and he is more than capable of contending in a weak field this week. Bjerregaard played pretty well last week in the GolfSixes and I like him to win this matchup against Lagergren.
Andrea Pavan -120 vs. Eddie Pepperell
This last matchup play is based more on the odds than anything else. The oddsmakers fancy the chances of Pavan contending this week. He has six top 25 finishes in his last seven starts on the European Tour and there is no question he will have a lot of fan support. I will take Pavan in this matchup.
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu. The Rocco Forte Sicilian Open is scheduled for May 10-13, 2018. Verdura Golf Club will host the event and Golf Channel will televise it.
