The European Tour cannot be criticised for standing still. Under Keith Pelley, the tour’s hard working CEO, we’ve seen new series, new ideas and new formats introduced to try and attract new fans to the game of golf.
The World Super 6 is one such idea. It may not be the sort of tournament that traditionalists tune in for but there are signs that the appeal of the World Super 6 is growing following an encouraging debut in 2017.
The format of the tournament is different but it’s not actually too difficult to grasp. First, the entire field will play 36 holes of stroke play after which there’s a half way cut, largely to decide who gets paid and who leaves Perth empty handed. There follows one more round of stroke play before the top 24 players advance to the match play section of the tournament on Sunday.
Sunday’s match play (in which the top eight from the stroke play receive a first round bye) is fast, frantic and unpredictable. Each match takes place over just six holes (hence the name) with any match that’s tied after the last being decided on a specially crafted, 90 meter, shootout hole.
The nature of the format did turn some punters off last year but some of those who viewed it as an opportunity were well rewarded for their positions. You’ll get some tasty odds about some top class players but it could well be worth having a few options to go to war with.
Westwood Ready to be Strictly Business
Lee Westwood’s Instagram followers had an insight into the amount of work that goes into being a top level golfer this week. He documented just one day that included multiple media interviews, sponsor obligations and a golf clinic for kids before he had a chance to play a few holes at Lake Karrinyup, host venue for the World Super 6.
Bewildering as that amount of work may be, Westwood is used to it. He’s also used to getting down to business when it’s time to play golf and that’s just what he’ll do this week. The veteran Englishman is feeling good about his game following a strong showing in Malaysia. He’s the class option in the field and with all his match play experience, Westwood looks good value at odds of 25/1 with Ladbrokes.
Two Aussie’s to Back Each Way
Brett Rumford proved a popular winner with home golf fans in Perth last year. The Aussie was solid throughout the stroke play before really turning it on during the match play. That was not his first strong performance at Lake Karrinyup by any stretch of the imagination. Rumford knows where to be aggressive and, crucially, where to miss on the layout and should go close again at 33/1 with Bet365.
Nick Cullen is another Australian who fared well in last year’s new look tournament. The 33-year-old also did pretty well at Lake Karrinyup when it hosted a more traditional stroke play tournament. That course knowledge will help and could see Cullen return nicely from a bet at 50/1 with Betfred.