Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
The European Tour heads to County Kilkenny for the Irish Open this week and for the first time since the pandemic began there will be fans in attendance at Mount Juliet Estate.
Unsurprisingly, previous champions and Irishmen Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry lead the way in the markets and Steve Palmer is back to provide FST’s followers with all his betting wisdom ahead of the event.
Irish Open predictions & betting tips
Irish Open course guide & where to watch
Course: Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Par: 72
Field: 156
Where to watch: Sky Sports Golf from 10am on Thursday
Irish Open winners prediction: Sam Horsfield at 22/1
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry dominate the betting for this week’s Irish Open in County Kilkenny – and their fans are set to give them a warm welcome. A smattering of spectators will be allowed into the event and most will be keen to follow McIlroy and Lowry – a former Open champion and the current one.
McIlroy can be backed at 11/2, while Lowry is 14/1, but the extra spotlight, pressure and distractions may unsettle the favourites, and preference is for Sam Horsfield at 22/1.
Strong approach shots could be the key to success at Mount Juliet. The course has generous fairways but well protected greens and Horsfield’s laserlike irons should stand him in great stead. The Englishman lies fifth in the European Tour strokes-gained-on-approach statistics.
He has the power to destroy the four par-fives and the forecast for relatively calm conditions should allow this birdie machine to make merry. The Florida-based 24-year-old has had a hectic schedule this year, jetsetting across the Atlantic Ocean and competing in some PGA Tour events, but after finishing fifth in the BMW International on Sunday he had a short journey from Germany to Ireland and should be fresh for the fight.
Irish Open outsider prediction: Rasmus Hojgaard at 60/1 (eachway)
At 60/1, Rasmus Hojgaard is an attractive each-way alternative at a juicier price to Horsfield.
Hojgaard has also been doing a lot of travelling across the globe, which is far from straightforward in these Covid times, but he has competed exclusively in Europe since the US PGA Championship and could be peaking for the Irish Open.
Four solid rounds in the BMW International Open last week provided encouragement for Hojgaard. The two-time European Tour champion signed off with a 68 for a share of 17th place and this great talent can build on that effort by starring at Mount Juliet.
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Make sure to check out our full range of betting predictions, with Bet Builder Tips and Euro 2020 Predictions among our latest offerings.
