Racing Post's Kenya Open predictions and free golf betting tips

When to bet

By 4.20am on Thursday

Where to watch the Kenya Open

Live on Sky Sports Golf from 10am on Thursday

Best bets

Joe Dean
2pts each-way 28-1 Paddy Power

Martin Couvra
1.5pts each-way 60-1 bet365

Ivan Cantero
1pt each-way 40-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Marcel Schneider
1pt each-way 45-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Recommended

4/5

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After players have enjoyed the opportunity to bomb at open fairways over the last few weeks on the Gulf swing, accuracy is the order of the day as the DP World Tour heads to Africa for the Kenya Open on Thursday.

Dutchman Darius van Driel defends his title but has missed three of his last four cuts, while bookmakers expect more from favourite Jorge Campillo, who won at Muthaiga two years ago.

Top tip

Joe Dean 28-1

Englishman Joe Dean finished two shots behind Van Driel last year and he looks well equipped to go one better this time.

Dean should be encouraged by his efforts in the Middle East particularly as this week's congregation can only be described as weak by DPWT standards.

He was fifth at Ras Al Khaimah and 13th in Bahrain before illness forced him to withdraw from the Qatar Masters, but an extra week's rest should have come at the ideal time.

Dean looks to be a Tour winner in waiting. He was also runner-up at the KLM Open last year and third in the Spanish Open so those recent results could provide the necessary push for him to believe he can triumph in a low-grade event such as this one.

Next best bet

Martin Couvra 60-1

This is just the sort of tournament where young guns can make a big mark and there will be plenty of eyes on French youngster Martin Couvra, who has made a notable impression lately.

Couvra, who celebrated his 22nd birthday just last month, was seventh in the Challenge Tour's Grand Final last year and has settled in well at the higher level after finishing seventh in his opening effort in December's Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

He has followed that with fourth in Bahrain and a highly respectable fifth in Qatar and he could fit the bill perfectly for those looking for an up-and-coming performer who could make a strong challenge in a weak field.

Other selections

Ivan Cantero 40-1

Marcel Schneider 45-1

The ability to avoid trouble off the tee, which will not be easy as the high Nairobi altitude provides players with an uncommon consideration, is set to be key this week so there is a lot to like about Ivan Cantero's chances as he is ranked 11th in the DPWT greens-in-regulation standings.

The Spaniard could not make a cut for toffee in the second half of last year but he looks to have turned the corner by producing some strong recent results.

There have been encouraging signs with his fifth at Ras al Khaimah, a fourth in Bahrain and 14th spot in Qatar and the set-up at Muthaiga should not concern him too much.

He was 23rd at the venue last year and there looks a strong chance that he can make a big impression.

German Marcel Schneider enjoyed a similar finish to the Spanish challenger 12 months ago and he should also be highly confident following eighth spot in Bahrain and 14th in Qatar, where he produced a storming finish with a closing 66.

He is another who can be better than most in finding the Nairobi fairways and this looks a good chance for the three-time Challenge Tour victor to get into the DPWT winner's circle for the first time. 

Recommended

4/5

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18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 5x £5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. 

Muthaiga Golf Club course guide

Course Muthaiga Golf Club, Nairobi, Kenya
Prize money $2.5m ($425,000 to the winner)
Length 7,208 yards
Par 71– four par-fives; nine par-fours; five par-threes
Field 150
Highest-ranked players in field (world ranking in brackets) John Parry (110), Jorge Campillo (113), Sebastian Soderberg (120), Guido Migliozzi (136), Joe Dean (139)
Course records - 72 holes 265 James Lee, Maarten Lafeber, Lee James 18 holes 61 Jacob Okello (2008 PGK Masters)

Course winners taking part Darius van Driel, Jorge Campillo and Ashun Wu

When to bet By 4.30am on Thursday

When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf from 10am on Thursday

Time difference Nairobi is three hours ahead of the UK & Ireland 

Course type Parkland

Course overview This is the fourth successive year Muthaiga has hosted the DP World Tour after previously being the venue when competition took place on the Challenge circuit. The course is characterised by tight fairways with little advantage to be had from length off the tee due to the altitude and the tall trees wide of the short grass can cause problems.

Story of last year Dutchman Darius van Driel kept his cool to claim a two-shot success over Joe Dean and Nacho Elvira

Weather forecast Conditions are set to be fine all week with temperatures peaking at 29C

Type of player suited to the challenge Plotting a route around this tight track is the passport to success and hitting the fairways is likely to be key.

Key attribute Accuracy

Spotlight insight 

Six of the last eight Kenya Opens have been won by a margin of two shots or more

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Don't forget to check out Wednesday's best betting offers: 

Betfair are offering 50-1 for Real Madrid to qualify from their clash with Manchester City

Paddy Power are offering 50-1 for Liverpool to beat Aston Villa in the Premier League

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