Dan Roebuck’s KLM Open preview: Side with favourite Fisher
Published:Ross Fisher’s fast finish in the Swiss Alps on Sunday has propelled the Englishman to the top of the betting for this week’s KLM Open at 16/1, which returns to Kennemer Golf and Country Club for the first time in three years, and the former Ryder Cup star should be backed to land his first title since 2010.
This mixed links-style and tree-lined venue was the stage for Fisher’s first European Tour victory back in 2007 and while he has generally struggled this campaign when playing on the PGA Tour – with just one top 10 in 15 stateside starts – his performances have been much better on this side of the Atlantic – with two top 10s in nine appearances and a scoring average of nearly a shot per round superior.
It was his brilliant weekend play at Crans-Sur-Sierre that forced him into punters thoughts this week, and the fact that he topped the greens in regulation stats over the course of the action in Switzerland is an indication that Fisher is back to his best. A good week on the putting surfaces will see him go very close on a layout he has rarely failed to impress on.
Fisher has likened the Zandvoort track to Sunningdale and if there are similarities then that could suit Tom Lewis at 80/1. The Silver Medal winner at the 2011 Open, who went on to win the Portugal Masters later that season, fired a stunning 66 in Open qualifying at the Berkshire venue this term. And while his career hasn’t continued on the same upward trajectory since his maiden win two years ago, there have been signs that Lewis is perhaps ready to win again with top-20 finishes in two of his last three starts.
Back towards the top of the market Shane Lowry is worth following at 25/1. The Irishman has said he is itching to get back to action after taking the last two weeks off, and with solid worldwide efforts over the summer, not to mention 15th place on his only start at Kennemer four years ago, he is one to ignore at your peril.
My three off the tee – Fisher, Lewis and Lowry.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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