Steve Palmer's Mallorca Open predictions & free golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the Mallorca Open at Golf Santa Ponsa on the European Tour.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm on Thursday

Best bets

Wilco Nienaber
2pts each-way 33-1 Betfred

Thomas Pieters
2pts each-way 18-1 bet365

Pablo Larrazabal
1.5pts each-way 33-1 Hills

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Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal made headlines at Golf Santa Ponsa in the distant past - the track has not been used on the European Tour for 23 years - and several Spaniards are looking to follow in the footsteps on those legends in the Mallorca Open.

Laurie Canter is also in attendance at Santa Ponsa. The Englishman took a three-shot lead into the final round of the Andalucia Masters last week, but blew his chance, remaining a Tour maiden.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Wilco Nienaber 33-1

Wide fairways, with four par-fives at which to gun, and gentle breezes forecast for the most part - this assignment should have Wilco Nienaber licking his lips as he chases a European Tour breakthrough.

The power-packed South African - one of the longest drivers in the history of the sport - will be able to attack Santa Ponsa and bolster an already solid record in this region.

Nienaber has played in three European Tour events in Spain - two at Valderrama and one at Club de Campo - with form figures of 6-6-49. Neither of those two courses play to his strengths - Valderrama is a nightmare for him - but his love for Spanish terrain has shone through.

South Africans dominated the Canary Islands Swing of the European Tour season - Garrick Higgo triumphed twice and Dean Burmester won the other - and one of their compatriots may play the starring role in Mallorca.

Nienaber's last four European Tour starts have been solid - he is nicely settled on the circuit - and he has already got off the mark on the Sunshine Tour. The 21-year-old is still improving and he could fall in love with Santa Ponsa this week.

Next best bet

Thomas Pieters 18-1

As a four-time European Tour champion, former Ryder Cup star and World Cup winner, Thomas Pieters is a big fish in a small pond this week. The Belgian bomber has been playing well, with 18th place in Italy, ninth at Wentworth and ninth in the Dutch Open, and last week's missed cut on the mark at unsuitable Valderrama is easy to forgive.

In Pieters' first full season on the European, he lost a playoff to Miguel Angel Jimenez for the 2014 Spanish Open. The low-grade events in Spain were soon ditched from Pieters' schedule - he went on to bigger and better things - but a world ranking of 124 has forced him back to Spain. Expect this class act to make mincemeat of Santa Ponsa from tee to green.

Other selection

Pablo Larrazabal 33-1

There are always lots of Spaniards on the leaderboard at European Tour events in Spain - they thrive in the conditions for obvious reasons - and Pablo Larrazabal could be the best of the local lads this week. He has finished 20th in both the Spanish Open and the Andalucia Masters over the previous fortnight, carding nothing worse than a 72.

Larrazabal was eighth in the Italian Open last month and this five-time European Tour champion will expect to contend at Santa Ponsa. He often excels in his homeland, with two top-fives in the Spanish Open to his name, plus third spot in the 2008 Madrid Masters.
Ballesteros and Olazabal - flair players who putted well - starred at Santa Ponsa in the olden days. Larrazabal also comes into that category.

Players to note

Romain Langasque
The underachieving Frenchman found some form at Valderrama last week, ending up in a tie for 11th place, and he could build on that effort at Santa Ponsa.

Adri Arnaus
The inconsistent Spanish slugger lost a playoff at Club de Campo, then was 15 over par for two rounds at Valderrama. Santa Ponsa suits him much better than last week's layout.

Richard Mansell
The Staffordshire man followed 12th place in a Challenge Tour event with sixth in the Dutch Open. He contended in the Canary Islands Championship in May and should enjoy Santa Ponsa too.

Golf Santa Ponsa course guide

Course Golf Santa Ponsa, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Prize money €1m (€147,370 to the winner)
Length 7,156 yards
Par 72
Field 120
Course records- 72 holes 272 Seve Ballesteros (1988 Open de Baleares) 18 holes 64 Jose Maria Olazabal (1988 Open de Baleares), David Jones (1993 Open de Baleares)

When to bet By 7.30am on Thursday

When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf from 12.30pm on Thursday

Time difference Mallorca is one hour ahead of the UK and Ireland

Last week - Andalucia Masters 1 1 M Fitzpatrick (14-1), T2 M W Lee (70-1), S Soderberg (350-1), T4 A Bjork (90-1), L Canter (75-1), R Fox (100-1), D Lipsky (80-1), J Morrison (225-1), R Rock (500-1), F Zanotti (66-1)

Course type Parkland

Course overview Santa Ponsa was designed by Folco Nardi in 1977 and it has hosted six previous European Tour events. Seve Ballesteros won the first of them - the 1988 Open de Baleares - then it staged the same tournament in 1989, 1991, 1992 and 1993. Miguel Angel Jimenez won the last Santa Ponsa gathering - the 1998 Turespana Masters. There were seven further European Tour events in Mallorca at Pula Golf Club - the Mallorca Classic from 2003-07 and Iberdrola Opens of 2010 and 2011. Santa Ponsa has wide fairways, flanked by olive, pine and almond trees, with numerous lakes and ponds to punish the seriously errant. There are four par-fives (the second, sixth, tenth and 13th).

Weather forecast Sunny and pleasant with gentle breezes for the most part, with temperatures peaking at 25C on Thursday afternoon and wind speed peaking at 13 mph on Friday afternoon.

Type of player suited to the challenge Generous fairways and largely fine weather should make for a low-scoring week. Big-hitters carrying hot putters should make merry.

Key attribute Touch

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