Gregory Bourdy - Top20 finish Open De Espana

GREGORY BOURDY TO FINISH IN TOP-20 OPEN DE ESPANA @ 9/2

It's going to be quite a week for the European tour as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, returning to the stage of its first event at one of the oldest tournaments in europe scheduled to coincide with the centenary of the Spanish Open. This year the tournament returns to Sevilla GC which hosted the event in 2010 and 2008, so course form is a key indicator. I have played the course once myself but that doesn't give me any particular insight - except to say anyone taking 3 shots to escape a bunker on the 2nd is going to have a miserable round; and take plenty of water and some sun cream - it was a dehydrating 120 degrees when I played there in the August heat!

If not exactly the anniversary, the event will also mark the passing of arguably Europe's greatest modern day golfer - Seve Ballersteros - who passed away in May last year. It will be particularly emotional for his compatriots but I believe it will spur them on too. This is evidenced by the strong contigent of Spanish players on my initial long-list including Jiminez, Fdez-castano, Larrazabal, Carbrera-Bello, Canizares, and Quiros. The list is completed by Paul lawrie, Jamie Donaldson, Marcel Siem, Gregory Bourdy, Anders Hansen, Francesco Molinari, Scott Jamieson, Price, Dyson and Colsaerts.

I was close to including Gregory Bourdy in the outright staking plan. The Frenchman often plays his best golf in Spain - not just in this tournament, but also at the Andalucia Open and Mallorca Open. His full record in this tournament is pretty impressive: T15, 10, T8, 76, T8, T16, T51, T125. In the last six years, he's only finished outside the top-20 on one occasion, and has made the top-10 three times from his last six attempts. However, he has yet to make the top-5 needed to reward each-way backers. Fortunately, we can back him to finish Top-10 and Top-20. At 9/2 with Paddy Power, we must back him to finish top-20. This bet would have paid out in 5 of the last 6 years. His form coming into the tournament isn't great, but it seldom is and I like the look of his T11th at the Andalucia Open which augurs well for this tournament.

Paul Lawrie 1pt ew @ 33/1. Great record in Espana and in this tournament. Good Masters and recovered well in far eastern tournaments. Will appreciate return to Spain and should be a big player this week.

Jiminez @ 1pt e/w 25/1. It would make a great story if Jiminez could win this week and he's in the form to do it. If anyone can handle the additional pressure this week, the 'Mechanic' can...and his high finish in Seoul show he's in good form.

Quiros @ 1pt e/w 28/1. Not at his brilliant best so far this year, but not exactly out of form either. Winner in 2010 when last hosted here and his length of the tee is a big asset round here. Knows how to win and usually out of the blocks quickly when it's his week.

Rafael Cabrera Bello 1pt e/w @ 50/1. Just about the best value in the field. In sparkling form this season (3rd in Ballantines, winner Dubai Desert Classic), solid top-10 finishes in this tournament including 6th last time it was hosted in Seville.


As usual I'll be picking out some value match bets to try recover the outright betting stakes.

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Posted on: 02.05.2012, 18.17 CET (Viewed: 245 times)
Last edited: 07.05.2012, 12.42 CET by Joe
Match starts on: May 03, 2012

3/10 on Gregory Bourdy at 5.50 with Paddy Power (Fixed Odds)

Paddy Power review

Tipped at

5.50