This article is part of our DraftKings Euro Tour series.
Nedbank Golf Challenge
Location: Sun City, South Africa
Course: Gary Player CC
Yardage: 7,817 yards
Par: 72
Tournament Preview
The European Tour will be in South Africa this week for the Nedbank Challenge hosted by Gary Player. This is another no-cut event with a loaded field. The tournament will be contested at Gary PLayer CC, as it's always been. The flat, tree-lined course consists of narrow fairways and small greens protected by large bunkers. Past results have shown that ball strikers with a strong approach game tend to be at the top of the leaderboard. A solid week of putting is also gonna go a long way towards a high finish. In addition, current form and course history will be considered when making picks.
Key Stats to Winning at Gary Player CC
• Greens in regulation
• SG: Approach
• SG: Putting
Past Champions
2017 - Branden Grace
2016 - Alex Noren
2015 - Marc Leishman
2014 - Danny Willett
2013 - Thomas Bjorn
DraftKings Picks
Sergio Garcia - $11,500 (8/1)
Garcia comes to South Africa following a win last time out at Andalucia Valderrama Masters. His world class form has returned once again and I believe will continue for some time. This is his first return to Nedbank Golf Challenge since 2014, he finished T2 that year. Garcia is my favorite play in the top tier.
Martin Kaymer - $8,600 (30/1)
It has been an up and down season for Kaymer, so this pick comes with some risk. He finished T5 last week at Turkish Airlines Open with four rounds in the 60s, closing on Sunday with a 66. He was solo fifth at Gary Player CC last year, showing he can obviously get it done. Kaymer's game sets up well for this course, he is 20th on tour in greens in regulation and 29th in SG: approach. He was 8th in the field last week in putts per round, if the good putting continues look for him to have a memorable week.
Thomas Detry - $7,100 (60/1)
Detry finished strong last week at Turkish Airlines Open with a T3. He's had a good season with multiple top tens. This will be his first appearance at Nedbank Golf Challenge, but the course should fit his game. He is an excellent ball striker, ranking 23rd on tour in greens in regulation and is 28th in SG: approach. He is one of the better putters on tour this year as well, ranking 28th in SG: putting. This could be a great week for the young man from Belgium.
Thomas Aiken - $6,700 (100/1)
I am going with a local for my pick in the bottom tier. Aiken's last two tournaments have shown good form. He finished T10 at Turkish Airlines Open and was T16 at Andalucia Valderrama. His results at Gary Player CC have been mixed with a T32 in 2016 and T13 in 2015. At only $6,700 he does not have the elite ball striking, but could be a decent play to round out a team when dipping to this price range. He does have a good short game, should he miss some greens. Aiken is ranked 56th in sand saves and 45th in SG: putting.
