The European Tour journeys ‘Down Under’ for the second time this season for the all-new, mixed-format ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth at Lake Karrinyup.
With three rounds of strokeplay preceding a final day of six-hole knockout match play ties, this event required a careful look.
Home to the Perth International event in recent years, our stats guru has poured through the form book to bring you this guide to three players you might want to consider for inclusion in your Fantasy sides this week.
Pick of the favourites: Louis Oosthuizen
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It’ll probably come as no surprise to read Louis Oosthuizen’s name amongst this week’s three picks. Victor at Lake Karrinyup in his debut at the Perth venue 12 months ago, Oosthuizen won by one shot after an exhibition of ball striking saw the South African hit 67 of the 72 Greens in Regulation over the week. No one has found more since Henrik Stenson’s record-equalling 68 GiR haul at the 2013 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. “I like the golf course,” he said last year. “It’s definitely one where you can take it on off the tee, try to hit a few bombers down there, and then be very careful on your second shots.” With Perth’s trademark afternoon breeze to contend with, it’s also worth remembering the 34 year old’s fine record in the wind, as further evidenced by coastal wins at St Andrews in The 2010 Open Championship plus two Volvo Golf Champions victories at the often-gusty Durban Country Club in his homeland. Making his first European Tour start of the 2017 season this week in Australia, Oosthuizen arrives on the back of a third place finish at the Phoenix Open on the US PGA Tour two weeks ago, while his stellar match play résumé should stand him in good stead for the Sunday Super 6 knockout ties. After reaching the quarter-finals of the WGC-Dell Match Play in 2014 and 2015, he won six of seven matches in Austin last year (including defeats of Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson), only losing out to Jason Day in the final.
Form Horse: Peter Uihlein
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Another man who has enjoyed his previous visits to Lake Karrinyup is Peter Uihlein. The American has finished inside the top ten in each of his two appearances here, indeed he shared the halfway lead in Perth 12 months ago before eventually finishing fourth. Seven of the 27 year old’s eight rounds at the venue have come in under par so it’s clearly a layout on which he feels pretty comfortable. “It’s a tough golf course but I love it,” he said last year. “It’s definitely one of my favourites.” Uihlein has made a strong start to the season with three finishes inside the top 15 in his last five starts – including two top tens – with only 18 under par rounds in his last 20. He has shown plenty of match play form in the past, too, notably in his victory in the 2010 US Amateur Championship’s 36-hole match play final, while he also won six from a possible eight points in two appearances in the Walker Cup before joining the paid ranks. It’s nearly four years since Uihlein’s solitary European Tour title, could he add to that tally this week in Australia?
Wildcard: Brett Rumford
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As a Perth native, Brett Rumford will again be able to call on plenty of local course knowledge and experience of dealing with the infamous ‘Fremantle Doctor’ afternoon wind this week. The 39 year old Australian has finished inside the top 20 in each of his last three appearances at Lake Karrinyup, including two top tens. Known for having one of the best short games on Tour, Rumford should profit from his wedge wizardry with plenty of closely-mown run-off areas around the greens and penal bunkers to contend with. With five European Tour titles to his name – including the Irish Open at County Louth links in 2004 – ‘Rummy’ doesn’t shy away from some testing conditions. While his on-going health issues haven’t helped breed much consistency thus far in the 2017 campaign, the highlight as it stands was a fifth place finish in his first start of the season – in Australia no less. Home comforts indeed…
Those are our picks, now it’s time to make yours. Whether you are playing theFantasy Race to Dubaior our newDaily Fantasy Game, be sure to make your picks before Wednesday night. Good luck!
