S.P. Read Esq: BMW PGA Championship, Wentworth

Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to Thursday’s BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP at Wentworth and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.

There’s lots to look forward to for golf punters as the European Tour has its flagship event at Wentworth this week in the shape of the BMW PGA Championship.

The venue for this week’s action is Wentworth’s West Course, which has hosted this tournament since 1984. A 7,284-yard par 72, there have been several changes to the setup in recent years, notably in 2009, when 29 bunkers were removed to narrow the course and the greens were made shorter, faster and firmer.

Thus, we are playing at a course that puts a premium on players who excel around the greens rather than being big hitters. Past course form also counts for plenty, given that the new course has been laid down for nearly eight years.

The English have a fine record in this event – they’ve won six of the last 12 renewals – and a victory for Andrew Johnston would surely see the galleries erupt in delight. The universally popular 29-year-old – also known as ‘Beef’ – has an encouraging record here in his three starts, with form figures of MC-7-21. He’s also in decent form, with three top 10′s in his last three starts at the Oman Open, Indian Open, and Open de Espana. Very sharp around the greens and with the putter, he looks to have the ideal skill-set to succeed this week.

Branden Grace has two top tens in his five starts here and the South African is also in good form this season. He couldn’t quite match the incredible scoring rate of the leaders at the Players Championship when last seen, but he showed his best at the AT&T Byron Nelson to finish in a tie for third. That came thanks to a blistering last round of 9 under par, and it’s encouraging that it was the best finish on tour this season for Grace, who has made the cut in all 11 events this year.

Another from the top of the market who makes appeal is Paul Casey. He had to pull out of the Players Championship thanks to a back injury but before that he had broken his nine-year losing streak in America with victory at the Valspar Championship. He was then a fine 15th in the Masters and his missed cut at the Heritage can be forgiven after a quick turnaround. He warmed up for this in fine style with a fifth-place effort at the Wells Fargo Championship and if over his back issue he’s capable of taking a big hand here.

CLICK FOR BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale 1-100 points)

SELL ANDREW JOHNSTON (finishing position max 70) 10 points at 39 with Star Spreads
SELL BRANDEN GRACE (finishing position max 70) 10 points at 27 with Star Spreads
SELL PAUL CASEY (finishing position max 70) 10 points at 25 with Star Spreads

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.