(GOLF) Hero Indian Open Preview and Betting Tips
Hero Indian Open
The European Tour makes the transition from South Africa to Asia at the Hero Indian Open. The event will be played at Delhi Golf Club; A fairly shot par-72 course measuring only 7036 yards. Due to it being fairly short, scoring will most probably be low so expect many players to break the -10 par barrier. Although this event has a prestigious history having been run since 1964, the event was only co-sanctioned by the European Tour in 2015. Thus the event will consist of a mix of names on the European Tour, as well as many players who play regularly on the Asian Tour of whom few but the avid golfer would have heard of. Nevertheless, the event has still attracted a number of the European Tour's big names including European Ryder Cup competitor, Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
Last Year:
Shiv Chawrasia, a 4 time runner up in his national open, had a dream first 3 rounds as he opened with a pair of 67's and a 68 to hold the 54 hole lead at -14. Holding a 2 shot lead from 2nd place, it looked as if the then 37 year old will hold on and claim his home event that he had come so close to winning on so many occassions on the past. He struggled to a 71(-1) on the final day, but that would prove to be just enough as he went on to clinch victory and a 2 shot lead over compatriot Anirban Lahiri and Jeunghun Wang.
The European Tour makes the transition from South Africa to Asia at the Hero Indian Open. The event will be played at Delhi Golf Club; A fairly shot par-72 course measuring only 7036 yards. Due to it being fairly short, scoring will most probably be low so expect many players to break the -10 par barrier. Although this event has a prestigious history having been run since 1964, the event was only co-sanctioned by the European Tour in 2015. Thus the event will consist of a mix of names on the European Tour, as well as many players who play regularly on the Asian Tour of whom few but the avid golfer would have heard of. Nevertheless, the event has still attracted a number of the European Tour's big names including European Ryder Cup competitor, Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
Last Year:
Shiv Chawrasia, a 4 time runner up in his national open, had a dream first 3 rounds as he opened with a pair of 67's and a 68 to hold the 54 hole lead at -14. Holding a 2 shot lead from 2nd place, it looked as if the then 37 year old will hold on and claim his home event that he had come so close to winning on so many occassions on the past. He struggled to a 71(-1) on the final day, but that would prove to be just enough as he went on to clinch victory and a 2 shot lead over compatriot Anirban Lahiri and Jeunghun Wang.
In this article I will examine both player form and course form of every player in the field. Using this information, I will then come to a judgement of who I think will be the top 6 players to look out for in the upcoming event.
*The odds for each player to win the event is provided by Sky Bet.
This week I am not necessarily going for the favourites to win the event, but for those with good value that I think could spring a surprise and pick up the trophy/record a high finish.
My Picks:
Jorge Campillo - 25/1:
The 30 year old Spaniard has been on fire this week, and this upturn in form has seen him reach a career high world ranking of 124. In his last 11 starts he has made the cut in every one of them, whilst also recording 7 top 25 finishes in the process. Although he has not won anywhere in the world in his 205 start career; he is showing signs of breaking that duck in recent times; having finished in a T2 in his last start at the Tshwane Open. In addition to that, he has good form at the Hero Indian Open having finished in a T10 in last years edition. Could his 206th start be his 1st win?
Rashid Khan - 66/1:
Khan's results have been a mixed bag recently. It seems as if one week he would be on his game, and the next he had lost it completely. In his last 7 starts he has 4 top 13 finishes, but also 3 MC. However more significantly, in his last 2 starts he has a T13 and a T12, so there are signs that he's eradicated the consistency that has plagued his game in recent months. He's also shown great signs at this event in recent years, having finished T6, T24 and T4 in his past 3 starts at Delhi Golf Club. The 26 year old has won 6 times across the world including twice on the Asian Tour, and the signs are there to hint that he could win his first European Tour event this week.
S.S.P Chawrasia - 100/1:
As mentioned in the preview, Chawrasia has an incredible record at his home event. Overall he has 4 second place finishes, but in the last 3 editions alone he has recorded a T2 in 2013. a solo second in 2015 and a win last year. However, since his win in an Asian Tour event at the back end of last year his form has been extremely poor; having missed the cut 4 times and a T70 finish in the 5 events after that win. However, a return to form for Chawrasia could be developing seeing as the Indian recorded a T35 in his last outing in Perth. Regardless at 100/1, someone with such prestigious history at this event should not be overlooked.
Adilson Da Silva - 125/1:
The Brazilian plies his trade mainly on both the African Tour and the Sunshine Tour and thus is not a name most golf fans are familiar with. However, the 45 year old could be a force to be reckoned with in this week's event. Da Silva's last 5 starts at the Hero Indian Open are as follows: T9, T22, T38, T12 and a T4 last year. That's a very consistent run of results, showing that the Brazilian clearly likes the course layout. In addition Da Silva has been in strong form recently, having finished in the top 25 in 6 of his last 10 starts, including a T15 in his last start at the Tshwane Open. At 125/1, he would definitely represent a good value pick this week and he definitely has the ability to surprise.
Shiv Kapur - 150/1
Kapur used to be ranked as high as 141 in the world, but his form has deserted him in recent years and thus he has slipped to a lowly 628 in the world. However his form in the event is exemplary, having recorded 4 finishes inside the top 13 in his past 6 starts here. Cause for concern is his recent form, where he missed the cut in his last event in Perth. However prior to that he made 4 consecutive cuts, ending with a T12 at the Maybank Championship. He may not be the player he used to be, but again at 150/1 he could be one to watch this week.
Mukesh Kumar - 250/1:
Kumar's career has been one that I find fascinating. At 51 years old, he has only made 59 starts in events recorded by the World Golf rankings. But the Indian clearly has some pedigree. Despite his inexperience across the world, he has recorded an incredible 114 wins on the Indian Tour. He also broke through for his maiden win outside of the Indian Tour a few months ago, having won the Panasonic Open sanctioned by the Asian Tour. On top of that, he has a number of strong finishes at the Hero Indian Open, having finished in the top 12 on 5 occasions. His win on the Asian Tour a matter of months ago prove that he may have taken his game to the next level, so at 250/1 his odds to win seem a lot longer than they should be.
Projected Champion: Jorge Campillo
Others that could contend: Anirban Lahiri, Daniel Chopra, Carlos Pigem, Jeev Milkha Singh, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Paul Peterson, Brett Rumford, Peter Uilhlein, Kiradech Aphibarnrat
This week I am not necessarily going for the favourites to win the event, but for those with good value that I think could spring a surprise and pick up the trophy/record a high finish.
My Picks:
Jorge Campillo - 25/1:
The 30 year old Spaniard has been on fire this week, and this upturn in form has seen him reach a career high world ranking of 124. In his last 11 starts he has made the cut in every one of them, whilst also recording 7 top 25 finishes in the process. Although he has not won anywhere in the world in his 205 start career; he is showing signs of breaking that duck in recent times; having finished in a T2 in his last start at the Tshwane Open. In addition to that, he has good form at the Hero Indian Open having finished in a T10 in last years edition. Could his 206th start be his 1st win?
Rashid Khan - 66/1:
Khan's results have been a mixed bag recently. It seems as if one week he would be on his game, and the next he had lost it completely. In his last 7 starts he has 4 top 13 finishes, but also 3 MC. However more significantly, in his last 2 starts he has a T13 and a T12, so there are signs that he's eradicated the consistency that has plagued his game in recent months. He's also shown great signs at this event in recent years, having finished T6, T24 and T4 in his past 3 starts at Delhi Golf Club. The 26 year old has won 6 times across the world including twice on the Asian Tour, and the signs are there to hint that he could win his first European Tour event this week.
S.S.P Chawrasia - 100/1:
As mentioned in the preview, Chawrasia has an incredible record at his home event. Overall he has 4 second place finishes, but in the last 3 editions alone he has recorded a T2 in 2013. a solo second in 2015 and a win last year. However, since his win in an Asian Tour event at the back end of last year his form has been extremely poor; having missed the cut 4 times and a T70 finish in the 5 events after that win. However, a return to form for Chawrasia could be developing seeing as the Indian recorded a T35 in his last outing in Perth. Regardless at 100/1, someone with such prestigious history at this event should not be overlooked.
Adilson Da Silva - 125/1:
The Brazilian plies his trade mainly on both the African Tour and the Sunshine Tour and thus is not a name most golf fans are familiar with. However, the 45 year old could be a force to be reckoned with in this week's event. Da Silva's last 5 starts at the Hero Indian Open are as follows: T9, T22, T38, T12 and a T4 last year. That's a very consistent run of results, showing that the Brazilian clearly likes the course layout. In addition Da Silva has been in strong form recently, having finished in the top 25 in 6 of his last 10 starts, including a T15 in his last start at the Tshwane Open. At 125/1, he would definitely represent a good value pick this week and he definitely has the ability to surprise.
Shiv Kapur - 150/1
Kapur used to be ranked as high as 141 in the world, but his form has deserted him in recent years and thus he has slipped to a lowly 628 in the world. However his form in the event is exemplary, having recorded 4 finishes inside the top 13 in his past 6 starts here. Cause for concern is his recent form, where he missed the cut in his last event in Perth. However prior to that he made 4 consecutive cuts, ending with a T12 at the Maybank Championship. He may not be the player he used to be, but again at 150/1 he could be one to watch this week.
Mukesh Kumar - 250/1:
Kumar's career has been one that I find fascinating. At 51 years old, he has only made 59 starts in events recorded by the World Golf rankings. But the Indian clearly has some pedigree. Despite his inexperience across the world, he has recorded an incredible 114 wins on the Indian Tour. He also broke through for his maiden win outside of the Indian Tour a few months ago, having won the Panasonic Open sanctioned by the Asian Tour. On top of that, he has a number of strong finishes at the Hero Indian Open, having finished in the top 12 on 5 occasions. His win on the Asian Tour a matter of months ago prove that he may have taken his game to the next level, so at 250/1 his odds to win seem a lot longer than they should be.
Projected Champion: Jorge Campillo
Others that could contend: Anirban Lahiri, Daniel Chopra, Carlos Pigem, Jeev Milkha Singh, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Paul Peterson, Brett Rumford, Peter Uilhlein, Kiradech Aphibarnrat
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