Sam Horsfield is an explosive young talent who won twice on the European Tour last summer – and the Manchester-born, Florida-based bomber must be sensing a wonderful opportunity to complete his hat-trick in the Scandinavian Mixed this week.
This is an event featuring 78 men and 78 women, so Horsfield has only 77 of his regular rivals to defeat. The women will go off the ladies’ tees, gaining a 922-yard advantage over the men, but it will still take a terrific effort from the female contingent to compete with their male opposition over 72 holes.
Horsfield, who returned from a back injury at the end of March, has been impressive since then. Form figures of 8-3-15-4 from his first four tournaments back quickly proved his fitness and the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the most promising Englishmen in the game.
Horsfield played well on a heathland track in the 2018 British Masters, finishing fifth at Walton Heath, and he tackles similar terrain in Sweden this week. The 14/1 favourite is an attractive option.
Fox Sniffing Around Scandinavian Silverware
Another powerhouse who should take a shine to this week’s venue – Vallda Golf and Country Club – is Ryan Fox. The New Zealander has suffered more than most European Tour professionals during the coronavirus pandemic – getting to events from his home and completing the required quarantine on his return has been tough – and he has not teed up much. This week, though, will be his third consecutive week competing on the European Tour and he should be sharp enough to do himself justice in the Scandinavian Mixed.
Fox closed with a 69 for 11th place in the Porsche European Open in Germany on Monday, hinting that he was peaking for Sweden. He won a couple of events on the Charles Tour in his homeland in April and could easily fall in love with Vallda. The track has been described as links-like, which will be music to the ears of Fox – a regular contender in the Irish Open and Scottish Open. The 18/1 about Fox could be a price for cunning punters to accept.
Horsey may Find a Gallop in Gothenburg
Punters seeking bigger odds can consider David Horsey at 45/1. The 36-year-old is a four-time European Tour champion – success built on tee-to-green accuracy married to his ever dependable short-game.
The Stockport man fired a remarkable opening round of 61 in the Saudi International in February, threatening a 59, eventually ending up in 12th place in high-class company. Horsey became a father in April and his form dipped around the birth of little Rafferty, but over the last fortnight he has seemed to be getting his act together again, with 31st place in the Made in HimmerLand followed by 25th spot in the Porsche European Open.
Horsey’s putter can turn into a magic wand at times and he should be able to handle the fast greens of Vallda better than most.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
