Nine days after the 2016 Race to Dubai came to end in dramatic fashion, it's time for the 2017 season, starting this week at both the Australian PGA Championship and Alfred Dunhill Championship. Our focus is on Leopard Creek as Charl Schwartzel looks for his fifth Dunhill Championship victory at one of the most unique settings on Tour, on the edge of Kruger National Park.
With that in mind, our statistics guru has suggested the following three players for yourDaily Fantasy Teamthis week in South Africa.
Pick of the favourites: Branden Grace
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Whilst many will pick Schwartzel as favourite, perhaps rightfully so, it's easy to argue that Branden Grace may be the man to beat this week. The lowest ranked player in the field, currently 16th in the world, arrives at Leopard Creek on the back of a European Tour season in which picked up a win in Qatar and finished inside the top ten in half of his 16 starts. Grace has finished in the top 20 in each of his last nine starts in his homeland, including a win at this event two years ago. Only Thomas Aiken's 61 in 2011 is lower than Branden Grace's opening round 62 at Leopard Creek in 2014. With a game that ranked inside the top 25 in Stroke Average, Driving Distance, Scrambling, Putts per GIR and Sand Saves in 2016, expect to see Grace contending down the stretch this week.
Form horse: Gregory Bourdy
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Gregory Bourdy is a name that flies under the radar with Fantasy users, but the Frenchman has one of the most complete and consistent games on Tour, evident by him making the cut in 18 of last 19 European Tour events. The 34 year old has made the trip to Leopard Creek six times over the course of his career and has finished third and second in his last two appearances. In total, he is 31 under par for his last 12 rounds here and appears to have a real ability to navigate the typically challenging 7,300 yard course.
Wildcard: Zander Lombard
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Many who are aware of Zander Lombard are waiting for him to break through and become one of South Africa's growing breed of young players. The 21 year old can hit the ball a prodigious length off the tee but has proved in recent months his ability to hone in the other parts of his game and compete at the top level. If he is to follow in the footsteps of Brandon Stone and Haydn Porteous and win on the European Tour, he may well do it as they both did, on home soil. In his last three European Tour starts in South Africa, Lombard has finished 12th, second and seventh. Few will pick Lombard this week, so it's up to you to decide whether the value is worth the risk on the 21 year old?
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!
