The DP World Tour heads to Madrid this week for the Open de Espana where three-time winner Jon Rahm will be making his first appearance on the circuit since his controversial move to LIV Golf.
Rahm has won twice at Club de Campo Villa by margins of five and six shots and is unsurprisingly favourite, but he withdrew from last week's LIV Tour Team Tournament with illness, so looks a short price when you consider the former Masters champions may not be at the top of his game.
- MATT WALLACE TO WIN (EACH-WAY)
- MATTEO MANASSERO TO WIN (EACH-WAY)
- ALEX FITZPATRICK TO WIN THE OPEN DE ESPANA (EACH-WAY)
Test At Altitude Should Suit Wallace
Competitors in the Open de Espana head to the hills this week and that should not be a problem for Matt Wallace, who has already tasted victory this month in the mountains of Switzerland in the European Masters.
But that is not the only reason to get behind the Englishman to lead the charge and claim victory at a track which is short considering the ball will fly through the air further than normal.
Wallace is at the top of his game and followed his winning performance at Crans-sur-Sierre with a strong 12th-place finish at the BMW PGA Championship last week, carding an impressive final round of 64 at Wentworth’s West Course.
His purple patch of form began at the Belfry when he was eighth at the British Masters and he should take a great deal of confidence to Spain as he makes his debut at the track.
MATT WALLACE TO WIN (EACH-WAY)
Nearly-Man Manassero Looks Ready To Strike
Matteo Manassero’s followers were left frustrated on Sunday as he was unable to complete the job when heading into the last round of the PGA with a three-shot advantage, but it may not be time to lose faith in the Italian just yet.
Manassero putted superbly at the Surrey track and carded a Saturday 63 which put him in such a strong position, even though his closing 73 saw him slip to fourth.
It was the former boy wonder’s fifth top-ten finish in his last ten events after he finished sixth at the British Masters and third at the Irish Open, so the Italian definitely possesses the ability to add to the triumph he posted in South Africa at the Jonsson Workwear Open in March.
MATTEO MANASSERO TO WIN (EACH-WAY)
Fitzpatrick Continues To Be A Threat
Alex Fitzpatrick continues to emerge from the shadow of his US Open winning brother Matt and he can post another strong performance despite missing the Wentworth cut.
Fitzpatrick was sixth at the Czech Masters, 12th at the British masters, sixth at the European masters and ninth at the Irish Open at Royal County Down, so there has been a lot to like about his recent showings.
His 20th place last year could be a strong foundation for another big challenge.
ALEX FITZPATRICK TO WIN THE OPEN DE ESPANA (EACH-WAY)
