Nedbank Golf Challenge: Ryan Fox and Justin Rose ready to shine in Sun City

This is the penultimate event of the 2022-23 DP World Tour season, with just 67 scheduled starters competing and with no half-way cut to worry about. They’ll be taking on a par 72 course that is 7,834 yards in length, which seems very long but is shortened somewhat by the effects of altitude. 

With high temperatures and little wind forecast, we should expect low scoring, probably nudging 20 under par or beyond. Tommy Fleetwood has won the past two times this tournament has been played, and he will duly tee off as the 7/1 favourite this week.

Tommy Lad has been in good form in 2023 and although not at his best in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, that was a forgivable hangover following his stellar performance at the Ryder Cup. He’s a worthy favourite, but his price seems skinny and makes him a win-only proposition. 

Max Homa is next at 8/1 in the betting, and he joins Justin Thomas in coming down to play this week, no doubt attracted by appearance money from the sponsors. Homa is playing much better than JT and if we were playing in the U.S. this week, he would be the favourite. JT has had a poor 2023 and 14/1 is no value for someone in poor form in an unfamiliar location.

A much more eye-catching 14/1 shot is the red-hot form of Ryan Fox, who has enjoyed previous trips to South Africa, and who won the BMW Championship in September and was runner-up at the Alfred Dunhill last month to crown a very good year so far.

Suggested bet: Ryan Fox each-way in the Nedbank Golf Challenge

It’s six years since Branden Grace won here and this dual Tour player is capable of showing up unexpectedly every now and then, and his 20/1 price tag reflects his good previous form on home soil.

We were on Adrian Meronk when he won for us two weeks ago, but am less confident of him winning again here, but Justin Rose returns to his country of birth still on a high following his Ryder Cup heroics .

Justin recorded his first ever professional victory here, and his improved putting at the Marco Simone course, backed up by his excellent long-iron game, should hold him in good stead here.

Suggested bet: Justin Rose each-way in the Nedbank Golf Challenge

Nicolai Hojgaard gets back into action on the DP World Tour after a couple of modest showings since being part of Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph. The jury is out as far as his current form goes but the Dane is a top talent and 28/1 may look huge if he gets off to a good start.

An outsider to keep a wary eye on is Nathan Kimsey who has a tidy game that could be tailor-made for this course. 

The Aussie has looked like a star in the making during 2023, with his third place finish in the Open de Espana two starts ago the stand-out performance. 

He can also miss the cut (as he did at the Anadalucia Masters three weeks ago) and his odds of 55/1 odds reflect a golfer who might give his backers a roller-coaster ride..

Suggested bet: Nathan Kimsey each-way in the Nedbank Golf Challenge

Suggested bet summary:

• Ryan Fox 3 points each way (14/1)
• Justin Rose 1.5 points each way (18/1)
• Nathan Kimsey 0.5 points each way (55/1)

 

All prices provided by Planet Sport Bet were correct at the time of writing but could be subject to change