We are rapidly approaching golf’s brief annual winter break. But, before the best players in the world can think about putting their feet up, there are some huge tournaments still to come. That includes this week’s world class event, the WGC HSBC Champions.
The final of 2016’s World Golf Championship events, the HSBC Champions takes place at the excellent Sheshan International in Shanghai. The par 72 course can stretch out to the best part of 7,300 yards and asks a number of tough questions even of the best players in the world. We’ve seen bombers like Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson win at Sheshan but also players will much less distance like last year’s winner Russell Knox. The eclectic list of winners means this is a very open event where everybody in the field will feel in with a chance if they turn up with their best stuff.
Main Tip: Who Will Win The WGC HSBC Champions?
The key skills required to win at Sheshan International are, as you may expect, varied. The fairways are not narrow but any drives which are too far off line risk being blocked out by the high number of trees. The course is quite undulating so the winner will have to cope with a variety of different lies. The water present on 11 holes will test the players’ mental strength while a strong showing on the par fives is another major plus point.
Given that this is a tournament where in-form players look to have a real boost, it’s hard to look past English world number 13 Paul Casey at a generous price of 25/1 with Coral. The former world number seven’s game has been in wonderful shape for a good while now. He finished inside the top four in the final three FedEx Cup playoff events and has begun the new PGA Tour season with a third place at the Safeway Open and a finish of T21 at last week’s CIMB Classic.
Casey also has a decent record at the HSBC Champions. He finished just outside of the top 20 last season and has five top 10 finishes at Sheshan International. Casey is finally injury free and is making a real push for the world’s top 10 once more. This week could see the win he’s been craving for so long but he certainly looks a fantastic bet for a place.
- Betting Tip – Paul Casey each way at 25/1 with Coral
Outsiders, Each Way Tips and Other Bets
In order for Casey to win he’s going to have to stop other in-form world class players such as Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson. Any of those three could go on and win this week but what about a longer odds bet? Those three are priced at 11/2, 6/1 and 22/1 respectively but we think there is better value further down the betting.
Bernd Wiesberger immediately stands out at 50/1 with Bet365. The Austrian has only played at this event twice but debutants have won before so don’t let that put you off. Wiesberger’s not finished worse than seventh in any of his last four starts so is very much trending towards a win.
It could also be a good week for the winner of last week’s CIMB Classic, Justin Thomas. He placed inside the top 30 at his first performance at Sheshan International last year and should improve further. At odds of 28/1 with Betfred, Thomas looks a very good each way bet.