The South African Open Predictions, Picks, Odds

Gary Player has won the South African Open 13 times. Bobby Locke won nine times and Ernie Els five times in modern times, but the tournament has never attracted the strongest field.

Gary Player is playing in the South African Open at Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate. The course is the third longest in golf at 8,233 yards.

Dean Burmester has moved to the PGA Tour after six seasons on the Sunshine Tour. Branden Grace has become an exceptionally consistent performer in his national championship. Thriston Lawrence is the only market leader with competitive course experience. He finished sixth in a Sunshine tour event in October last year. He had an odd time of it last week.

Charl Schwartzel is a major champion, a winner on the PGA Tour and a two-time winner in Europe. He won the 2011 Masters. Schwartzels has won nine trophies on home soil. The last time he played in the South African Open he finished ninth.

Wilco Nienaber is playing in the South African Open this week. He has a good length from the tee and has good results on Gary Player-designed courses. Unibet is offering six places for him each way.  

Ashun Wu has a good record at altitude. He's 5-for-7 at landing a top 40 in Johannesburg, 2- for-4 in Crans, 3-For- 4 in Madrid and was a winner on his Kenyan debut in March. Bet365 prices him at +100 to land another one this week.