2017 Bridgestone Invitational European tips
The PGA Championship is just around the corner, but first the best players in the world converge in Akron, Ohio, for the 2017 Bridgestone Invitational. The World Golf Championship at Firestone Country Club is one of the biggest non-major tournaments of the year and it’s not surprising to see two Americans at the top of the betting market, but we think it’s time for a European winner.
Players from Europe have been playing exceptionally well this season, but most of the headlines have gone to The Open Championship winner Jordan Spieth and 2016 Bridgestone Invitational winner Dustin Johnson, but there’s a good field of Europeans ready to show their best. 2014 champion Rory McIlroy is among the best-backed golfers in the field and British sensation Tommy Fleetwood has also attracted attention from punters, but there are a couple of players that will tee off well over the odds.
Alex Noren – 45/1 at Ladbrokes.com
Alex Noren has steadily climbed up the world rankings this year and is currently in ninth position. That’s some rise in golf for a player who was ranked 653rd just two years ago, but his four tournament wins in 2016 and one victory this year has firmly put Alex Noren in the headlights. The Swedish player may have missed four cuts this year, but he has also played well on the big stage, which is something he has struggled with in the past.
His sixth-place finish in The Open Championship was the result of a rigorous training regime, but consistency is something he is struggling with. His win in the BMW PGA Championship earlier this year was full of quality, but he did miss the cut at the U.S. Open and his performances in the U.S. have been suspect. We believe Noren is playing well enough to overcome his inconsistencies when playing overseas and he’s a value player at the current quote.
John Rahm – 22/1 at Netbet
Speaking of players that have shot up the world rankings, John Rahm was sitting at 1548 in 2014 and now he has cracked the top 10. The volatile, yet supremely talented Spaniard has recorded an Irish Open win to go along with his Farmers Insurance Open victory in the states. He hasn’t quite shown his best ability in the major American tournaments, but Rahm is always growing with confidence and many believe he will win a major in short time. Winning a WGC event is the next best thing and considering he has finished inside the top 10 in nine of his 16 starts this year, it would take a brave man to punt against the in-form player.
Rafael Cabrera Bello – 60/1 at Ladbrokes.com
Fellow Spaniard Rafael Cabrera Bello is at great odds and is worth a play. He’s coming off a fourth placing in The Open Championship and that followed up a win in the Scottish Open. Cabrera Bello has shown he can play outside of Europe, having finished fourth at The Players earlier this year and despite missing five cuts this year, he’s a hit-or-miss player and that can pay off for punters. There is little risk playing Cabrera Bello at 60/1 and he’s definitely worth having a sneaky each way bet on.