Steve Palmer's Scandinavian Mixed predictions & free golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the Scandinavian Mixed at Vallda GC on the European Tour.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Golf from noon on Thursday

Best bets

Sam Horsfield
3.5pts each-way 16-1 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

Ryan Fox
3pts each-way 22-1 BoyleSports

David Horsey
1pt each-way 50-1 general

Joakim Lagergren
0.5pt each-way 150-1 Coral, Ladbrokes

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The first of two wonderful courses making their main-tour debut this week is Vallda Country Club in Gothenburg. Congaree should dazzle, too, on the PGA Tour for the Palmetto Championship, but the European Tour action comes from a links-like heathland track which should level the playing field a little between the men and women.

Both sexes are doing battle over 72 holes of standard strokeplay for the first time on the European Tour, with Swedish legends Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam acting as tournament hosts, and fast-running terrain should allow everyone to make plenty of birdies.

The women will play off the ladies' tees, gaining 922 yards in total over the 18 holes, but that may not be enough to swing the event their way. When a similar tournament was staged on the Challenge Tour in 2019 - the Jordan Mixed Open - only one woman finished in the top 15. Expect the men to take charge, particularly on the par-fives.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Sam Horsfield 16-1

The best player in the field this week is arguably Sam Horsfield - a two-time European Tour champion at the age of 24 and seemingly destined to develop into a superstar - and the Scandinavian Mixed represents a golden opportunity for the Englishman.

With only 77 men to beat this week, Horsfield will fancy his chances, having made an excellent return from a back injury. His form figures in his first four events after rejoining the circuit at the end of March were 8-3-15-4.

The PGA Tour is a work in progress for Horsfield - he does not get in many tournaments and has found it difficult to make an impact - but there is a comfort level on the European Tour because he knows he is one of the elite.

Horsfield impressed on a heathland track in the 2018 British Masters, finishing fifth at Walton Heath, and Vallda could be at his mercy over the next four days. Sunshine and calm conditions are forecast, meaning the open, flat layout could be butchered by this birdie machine.

Next best bet

Ryan Fox 22-1

Another powerhouse who seems set to make merry is Ryan Fox, who should love the links-like nature of this terrain. He has got a fantastic record in the Irish Open and the Scottish Open and this week's assignment - fast-running fairways flanked by fescue rough and heavy bunkering - should see Fox in his element.

The New Zealander has found it tough getting to tournaments in the post-pandemic world. He won a couple of low-grade events in his homeland on the Charles Tour in April, but strict quarantining laws in New Zealand have meant he has had to be selective with his European Tour missions. The Scandinavian Mixed completes a set of three weeks on the spin, so Fox could easily be peaking for Sweden.

The 34-year-old Auckland man closed with a 69 for 11th place in the European Open last week and he looks well capable of a second European Tour title on Sunday.

Other selections

David Horsey 50-1

Joakim Lagergren 150-1

Complete a four-pronged attack with David Horsey and Joakim Lagergren. Horsey, a four-time European Tour champion, carded a first-round 61 on his way to 12th place in a high-class Saudi International in February. He became a father in April, so losing focus was understandable, but over the last fortnight sharpness appears to be returning.

Horsey, 31st in Denmark and 25th in Germany last week, has always had a brilliant short-game, which is invaluable this week on and around firm greens.

Lagergren may end up the pick of the Swedish contingent. He has got a superb record in the Dunhill Links Championship and should enjoy this week's linksy assignment. His short-game has traditionally been a great strength - and he has got the room off the tee at Vallda which he typically appreciates. The 2018 Sicilian Open champion carded a 63 in the Made in HimmerLand, hinting at a return to form.

Players to note

Marc Warren
A bad back has meant a light schedule of late for the Scot. Given full fitness, he would be a serious runner on a course he should enjoy.

Ashley Chesters
The accurate Shropshire man finished 12th at St Andrews as an amateur in the Open. A tidy tie for 18th in the European Open on Monday makes him of some interest for this.

Matthew Southgate
The Essex man hooked his drive into water at the 72nd hole of the European Open on Monday to blow a great winning chance. Vallda is a good fit for him if he can shake off the disappointment.

Alexander Bjork
The Swedish plodder should enjoy the dimensions of Vallda, as well as the home vibes, and tidy recent form gives him strong place claims.

Vallda course guide

Course Vallda Golf and Country Club, Gothenburg, Sweden
Prize money €1m (€147,370 to the winner)
Length 7,060 yards (men's tees); 6,138 yards (women's tees)
Par 72
Field 78 men, 78 women

When to bet By 6.20am on Thursday

When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf from noon on Thursday

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

Last week - Porsche European Open 1 M Armitage (80-1), T2 T Detry (50-1), E Molinari (150-1), M Southgate (125-1), D Van Driel (250-1)

Course type Heathland

Course overview Martin Hawtree was commissioned to design a British links-style layout in the Vallda Valley - a work which was completed in July, 2009. The club is hosting a Tour event for the first time this week - the inaugural Scandinavian Mixed - in which men and women will compete equally against each other over 72 holes of strokeplay. Vallda is an open, flat heathland track, with wavy tall fescue lining the fast-running fairways, and the greens, well protected by heavy bunkering, are firm and fast. Two sub-400-yard par-fours on the front nine (the third and ninth), as well as four relatively short par-fives (the fourth, sixth, tenth and 16th), represent great birdie opportunities.

Weather forecast Sunny and pleasant throughout, with light to moderate breezes

Type of player suited to the challenge This is the perfect course for a mixed event, with fast-running fairways and greens demanding touch rather than power, and a sun-drenched Wednesday likely to set the layout up perfectly. The links-like terrain may lend itself to British and Irish raiders, particularly those blessed with a sharp short-game.

Key attribute Touch

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