Garrick Higgo and Dean Burmester have won the first two tournaments on the three-event Canary Islands Swing of the European Tour – and both are teeing up in the finale this week.
Higgo was victorious in the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open, reaching 25 under par, before his compatriot matched that score on his way to a five-shot success in the Tenerife Open.
South Africans Dominating the Market
The South African duo can be backed at 11/1 and 16/1 respectively for the Canary Islands Championship at Golf Costa Adeje, Tenerife, and are likely to be extremely popular with punters. Both Higgo and Burmester are blessed with enormous power, so the plethora of par-fives at Costa Adeje are at their mercy.
If they can remain fresh enough and focused enough for another 72 holes this week, there is no reason why Higgo and Burmester should not be contending for further silverware.
Valimaki Looking to Build on Fast Finish
Sami Valimaki was European Tour Rookie of the Year last season – the Finn claimed his maiden title in the Oman Open and finished fifth in the DP World Tour Championship – but has made a poor start to 2021.
Prior to last week, Valimaki had teed up only four times this year – missing the cut in the Abu Dhabi Championship, sharing 51st place in the Dubai Desert Classic, missing the cut in the Saudi International, then finishing 64th of 72 runners in the WGC-Workday Championship at The Concession.
It looked like the cocksure youngster may fall outside the top 100 in the world rankings, but a closing 66 in the Tenerife Open meant a tie for 22nd place and some encouragement for Valimaki fans.
The 22-year-old can be backed at 25/1 to build on that Tenerife Open effort by winning the Canary Islands Championship. In 2019, he won four times on the Pro Golf Tour – a feeder circuit – so he has proven himself reliable in contention in lower grades.
Englishman May Gallop Past Winning Post
The 22/1 about Laurie Canter may interest plenty of punters this week given how impressive he was on the European Tour last season.
The Bath man finished second in the Portugal Masters, second in the Italian Open and fifth in the DP World Tour Championship. He showed his quality again this term with fourth place in the Dubai Desert Classic.
Canter was at a disadvantage in last week’s Tenerife Open – because he had not teed up in the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open for a useful warm-up in similar conditions – so there was no disgrace in his 48th-place finish.
The big-hitter should come on for the run and can find more of a gallop in the Canary Islands Championship. If the two South Africans at the head of the market flop, it could be Canter who is best placed to take charge.
Three of the last four European Tour events in Tenerife have been won by an Englishman – and his early Thursday tee-time seems to be advantageous.
*All odds correct at time of writing