If you look out of the window this week and see grey clouds it might not be a good idea to turn on the coverage of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. If you do, you are sure to be envious of the players competing at one of the most stunning settings for a golf course in the world.
The tournament is being hosted at the Four Seasons Resort in Anahita and their 7,500 yard course. Ernie Els is the designer behind the project and like everything the Big Easy turns his hand to, it is world class. The par 72 winds its way around the coastal setting of Anahita in the early stages with mountainous views in the background before coming to an incredible crescendo. The final six holes are all set on the Indian Ocean and the best is saved for last. Many of those who have played the course believe that the 18th has the best approach shot in all of golf and it is sure to play a major role in proceedings this week.
The best way of describing the field for the AfrAsia Mauritius Open is eclectic. As the event is co-sanctioned by the European, Sunshine and Asian Tours there are players from all four corners of the globe taking part including some who have made waves at the highest levels and those who are tipped for great things. The course is going to brand new to the majority of the players this week and that could ensure some late drama as the tournament draws to a conclusion on Sunday.
One of the few players taking part in the second running of this tournament to have any links with the Four Seasons at Anahita is Nicolas Colsaerts. The 33-year-old has had a career that many of his competitors this week would be incredibly proud of but there is a feeling that he has just stalled recently. You have to go all the way back to 2012 for his last win on the European Tour but he has redoubled his efforts to make sure that run ends as soon as possible. Colsaerts is affiliated with the host course and won the Mauritius Golf Masters at this venue in 2010 so his odds of 28/1 with Coral look like good value.
One of the young guns in the field who is fancied to have a strong career is Haydn Porteous. The South African picked up his first European Tour win at the Joburg Open where he displayed a game with a great combination of power and touch. The 21-year-old is looking to really kick on and he could come up with the goods this week at odds of 28/1 with Betfred.
There have been some very long odds winners of big golf tournaments of late and Edoardo Molinari may be about to add his name to that list. The Italian is grinding to find some form and amongst this relatively modest standard of opposition the former Ryder Cup player could find his best stuff and grab the win at 200/1 with BetVictor.