Distracted Thomas Pieters may have problems keeping eye on the ball

Sky Sports Golf, 10am Thursday
Tournament starts 6.30am

Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters has taken such an integral role in organising the Belgian Knockout that it could be suggested that his form has suffered as a consequence.

Pieters is the top-ranked player in Antwerp this week and while the motivation will be there to put on a show for his home followers, it might not be as easy as that.

Not only will he have to be the face of the competition and deal with countless demands on time that would probably be better spent on the practice ground, but his game needs to be in warm order as well and there has been little suggestion recently that that is the case.

Since finishing fifth in Abu Dhabi, Pieters has claimed one top-20 finish in eight tournaments and missed the cut at The Masters after a second-round 78.

Half of the Rinkven test is tight this week and that does not bode well for a player ranked 245th on the European Tour for driving accuracy.

It makes sense to oppose him in a match bet with Dutchman Joost Luiten, who was fourth in the European Amateur Championship at the venue in 2005.

Luiten won the Oman Open in February and the fact he has finished in the top 25 in five of his last six tournaments suggests he could be on for a bold run this week.

Recommendation
J Luiten to beat T Pieters
2pts Evs bet365, BoyleSports

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