Three players our statistics guru thinks could do well in this week's Joburg Open.
Pick of the favourites: Dylan Frittelli
Off the back of his second European Tour win in 2017 last week in Mauritius, young South African Dylan Frittelli is definitely coming into the week as the man to beat. Despite leading in greens in regulation, Frittelli didn't have his best all-round game with him last week, but some exceptiona short game form helped him prevail.
The win last week came after a number of near misses, most notably with a runner-up result at the Turkish Airlines Open and a top five finish at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. The 27 year old won't be short on motivation this week either, with a spot at The Masters up for grabs if he can get himself in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings, and the chance to win a maiden European Tour title on home soil. Starting the season outside the top 150, and finishing it with a spot in the Masters would put the seal on what has been an unforgettable season for the man who was ranked 926th in the world just over two years ago.
Form Horse: Haydn Porteous
The big-hitting South African will certainly feel very at home this week having won the Northern Amateur four years ago at this week's venue, Randpark Golf Club, by a staggering 14 shots. As well as winning the D+D REAL Czech Masters, Porteous finished the season in strong form and went well in Mauritius last week, where the 23 year old shot the joint lowest round (66) on Saturday. Never short on confidence and a man for the big occasion, expect another good week from the 2016 Joburg Open champion this week.
Wildcard: Jeff Winther
Finishing in a tie for second at Qualifying School last month after losing his card last season, Jeff Winther comes into this week in good form following a remarkable 63 last week during the final round of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. The key strength to Winther's game in recent times has been his putting and with momentum and confidence being everything, could the tri-sanctioned Joburg Open be his week?
