The last event on the European Tour schedule for the 2017 calendar year is the Joburg Open in South Africa. Louis Oosthuizen is listed as the favorite to win the fourth event of the 2018 Race to Dubai at odds of +550. Only four players are listed with odds of less than +2250, as Dylan Frittelli is +850, George Coetzee is listed at odds of +1250, while Paul Peterson is +1850. Let’s look at the event and predictions.
Joburg Open Odds
Louis Oosthuizen +550
Dylan Frittelli +850
George Coetzee +1250
Paul Peterson +1850
Haydn Porteous +2250
Darren Fichardt +2250
Dean Burmester +2250
Shaun Norris +2850
Ashun Wu +3050
Matt Wallace +3550
Romain Langasque +4550
Sam Horsfield +5050
James Morrison +6550
Thomas Aiken +6550
Anders Hansen +6550
Joel Stalter +6550
Marcus Kinhult +6550
Erik Van Rooyen +6550
Ockie Strydom +6550
Jeff Winther +6550
Aaron Rai +7050
Ashley Chesters +7550
Gavin Green +7550
Jbe Kruger +7550
Oliver Bekker +7550
Justin Walters +7550
David Drysdale +7550
Louis De Jager +7550
Jean Hugo +8550
Jazz Janewattananond +8550
Odds Analysis
Louis Oosthuizen +550
It is not a surprise that Oosthuizen is favored, as four of his eight European Tour titles have come in South Africa. He loves playing in his home country and he did play well last week, as he tied for 7th at the Mauritius Open. There is no question he could win this event, but I think he is overvalued at these low odds.
Dylan Frittelli +850
Last week’s winner at the Mauritius Open hasn’t played well recently in his home country but you can’t argue with his current form. I think he is overvalued, as it is not easy to win in back-to-back weeks and I expect a letdown.
George Coetzee +1250
Coetzee has played well at home in the past, as his first European Tour victory came in South Africa in 2014. He also won the Tshwane Open in 2015 and the Mauritius Open in 2015. He tied for 7th in last year’s Joburg Open.
Paul Peterson +1850
Peterson is playing well, with four top 10’s on the Asian Tour and he did tie for 7th in this event a year ago. I think he is overvalued at these odds, as he has yet to prove he can win on the big stage.
Dean Burmester +2250
Burmester is another local who should do well in this event. He hits the ball a ton and he has won in South Africa before, taking the Tshwane Open. He finished in the top four in the DP World Tour Championship earlier this year and he tied for 27th last week.
Haydn Porteous +2250
I like the chances of Porteous this week at these odds. He won this event in January of 2016 and he won earlier this year in the Czech Masters in September. He has played well in South Africa in the past and he has done well at altitude.
Darren Fichardt +2250
Fichardt won this event last year and finished second on this course in 2000 at the South African Open. He is coming off a tie for 16th last week.
Justin Walters +7550
My big longshot this week is Walters who finished second and third in this event in 2014 and 2016. He finished tied for 14th last week.
Course: The Joburg Open is normally held at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club but that venue is undergoing renovation, so this year the event will be held at Randpark Golf Club. It was used for the 1995 and 2000 South African Opens but most players will be unfamiliar with the two courses being used. Three of the four rounds will be played on the Firethorn course which is a par 72 that measures 7,595 yards. It is longer and tougher than the Bushwillow course that the players will play for one of the first two rounds. Bushwillow is 7,114 yards and a par 71.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel
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