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

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the MyGolfLife Open at Pecanwood on the DP World Tour.

When to bet

By 4.30am on Thursday

Best bets

Dean Burmester
3pts each-way 18-1 Hills

Johannes Veerman
2.5pts each-way 30-1 bet365

Marcus Armitage
2pts each-way 33-1 Betfair, Power

Wilco Nienaber
1.5pts each-way 45-1 bet365

Hurly Long
1pt each-way 55-1 bet365

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The inaugural MyGolfLife Open starts a fortnight's stay in South Africa for the DP World Tour, with Bernd Wiesberger headlining the field. The Austrian, who failed to register a point on his Ryder Cup debut in September, is yet to sparkle this year.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Dean Burmester 18-1

Pecanwood looks a perfect track for Dean Burmester to make merry this week. The big-hitting South African is playing superbly and did well to finish 26th on an unsuitable layout in Kenya last week. Despite a mad three-hole stretch in which he dropped nine shots in round three, carding a nine at a par-three after going pin-hunting and finding water, he ended the event only ten shots behind the champion.

Prior to Kenya, Burmester finished runner-up in the Dimension Data Pro-Am. He has played a lot in his homeland lately, winning the South African PGA Championship in November before finishing fourth in the SA Open in December, and he seems the man to beat this week after a closing 66 in Kenya on Sunday.

Next best bet

Johannes Veerman 30-1

Another big-hitter who should relish Pecanwood is Johannes Veerman. The American is throwing himself into fatherhood and has been playing a light schedule, but this is the first time this year he has entered two consecutive tournaments.

After 26th place in Kenya, expect improvement from one of the best players on this circuit.

Other selections

Marcus Armitage 33-1

Wilco Nienaber 45-1

Hurly Long 55-1

European Open champion Marcus Armitage finished 16th in the DP World Tour Championship last year and has started 2022 brightly, with 12th in Dubai, ninth in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, and a closing 68 for 17th place in Kenya on Sunday. He's got a great record in South Africa and is one of the best iron-players on the Tour, so this assignment suits.

Wilco Nienaber, a 21-year-old with huge potential, has finished in the top 25 in his last four tournaments. He carded 25 under par for third place at Pecanwood in the 2018 SA Strokeplay Championship amateur event. Having recently recruited Ricci Roberts as caddie, Nienaber looks ready for take off.

Hurly Long, 18th in the Ras Championship, third in the Ras Classic and second in Kenya, is a rising star from Germany. He is much better suited to Pecanwood than last week's venue, so can be expected to continue his hot streak.

Players to note

George Coetzee
He was 12th at Pecanwood in the 2007 Eskom Power Cup. Dangerman.

Julien Brun
The consistent Frenchman has been threatening a Tour breakthrough so it would be no surprise if this was the week.

Pecanwood course guide

Course Pecanwood Golf and Country Club, Hartbeespoort, South Africa
Prize money $1.5m ($250,000 to the winner)
Length 7,697 yards
Par 72 - four par-fives; ten par-fours; four par-threes
Field 156 The cut Top 65 and ties qualify for round three
Highest-ranked players in the field (world ranking in brackets) Richard Bland (56), Bernd Wiesberger (68), Dean Burmester (74), Shaun Norris (80), Daniel van Tonder (84)

Course winner taking part Chris Swanepoel

Course record - 18 holes 63 Chris Swanepoel, Gary Thain (2007 Eskom Power Cup)

When to bet By 4.30am on Thursday

Time difference South Africa is two hours ahead of UK and Ireland time

Last week - Kenya Open 1 A Wu (55-1), T2 A Cockerill (160-1), H Long (60-1), T Lawrence (150-1), 5 D Horsey (60-1), T6 D Gavins (80-1), M Pavon (33-1)

Course type Parkland

Course overview This Jack Nicklaus design, opened in 1998, is situated on the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam. The fairways are wide, flat and welcoming, so this is a 'second-shot course', with greens well guarded by bunkers and water hazards. The bentgrass greens have rounded edges, many leading mishit balls to collection areas. The 2007 Eskom Power Cup (a three-round Sunshine Tour event) is the only worthwhile pro form at Pecanwood. This is its DP World Tour debut

Weather forecast Sunny and hot (temperatures around 30C), with light to moderate breezes

Type of player suited to the challenge This long, wide-open course seems natural terrain for big-hitters to attack. Accurate approaches will probably be key to success

Key attribute Power

Spotlight insight Four of the last five DP World Tour events in South Africa have been won by a South African

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