Power-packed Pieters could be primed for PGA glory

Francesco Molinari, Thomas Pieters and Scott Jamieson are tied for the lead at the halfway stage of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, the Italian, the Belgian and the Scot reaching seven under par through 36 holes.

Molinari was 18-1 for PGA glory ante-post and Pieters was 25-1, but there is nothing between the pair in the betting with two rounds to go. Both players can be backed at 4-1, while pre-tournament 250-1 outsider Jamieson has been slashed to 20-1.

Molinari has an excellent Wentworth record and was considered likely to contend by bookmakers, but Pieters was coming off a long break and not so certain to perform. With Pieters making such a fast start, though, the Ryder Cup star is being given as much chance of success.

In-running punters mulling over an outright wager on one of this trio is advised to go for Pieters. Molinari rarely shows much courage under fire and Jamieson may find himself outclassed. Pieters is one of the best players in Europe.

The final group of Pieters and Jamieson tee off at 1.20pm. Ante-post 14-1 second-favourite Henrik Stenson is two shots off the lead and a 6-1 chance going into the weekend. Pre-tournament 12-1 favourite Justin Rose made the cut by a shot and has a nine-shot deficit to overcome.

Pieters at 4-1 is the recommendation for punters wanting an outright investment at this stage – this class act will take an awful amount of shifting from the top of the board – while those dabbling on the third-round twoballs are pointed towards Pieters to beat Jamieson (3-5 with Betway) and Byeong Hun An to beat Lee Westwood.

An is the 72-hole course-record holder at Wentworth, having destroyed the field in 2015, and the Korean youngster has found some form. Westwood is a fading force at the age of 44.

A sunny but breezy day is forecast for the third round of competition.

Recommendations
T Pieters
4pts 3-5 Betway

B H An
2pts Evens Betfred