European Tour Tips & Preview
Hero Open 2020 Preview
Starts - 30th July 2020
Course - Forest of Arden GC
Par - 72 (36-36)
Length – 7,215 yards
Defending Champion - N/A
Course - Forest of Arden GC
Par - 72 (36-36)
Length – 7,215 yards
Defending Champion - N/A
Course Info
Designed by Donald Steel, Forest of Arden GC was a regular European Tour stop in the late 90s and early 2000s. However, it has not been used since the 2005 British Masters - it is only because the course has a large onsite hotel that the venue returns as part of the European Tour's six tournament UK swing.
It is a traditional par 72 with four par 5s and four 3s. Located in the Midlands it is a parkland track with plenty of water in play. Accuracy is very much the order of the day.
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
Continue to exercise an abundance of caution (credit: Chase Koepka and the PGA Tour) in relation to Covid-19 related withdrawals.
Trends
Looking at past events here we can see accurate hitters have enjoyed success. Past winners of the English Open when it was played here include Pater O'Malley, Colin Montgomerie and Robert Allenby. When the British Masters was played here Greg Owen was also a winner.
Interestingly there appears to be a possible correlation with the Arnold Palmer designed K Club in Ireland. Darren Clarke is a multiple winner at the Forest of Arden and past champion at the K Club when it hosted the European Open.
Peter O'Malley won the 2001 English Open and is a two time runner up at the K Club. Michael Campbell won at the K Club in 2002 and finished runner up here in 2000. Colin Montgomerie had an excellent record at both events (albeit he had an excellent record at most places in the early 2000s).
The reason we mention this link is that the 2016 Irish Open was played at the K Club, giving us a more recent look at who might be suited to this week's test.
Stats Analysis
Given that past champions at the Forest of Arden include O'Malley, Monty, Owen and Allenby we can say that driving accuracy is very much a key stat. Those four were fairway-finding machines and we should look for players of their ilk.
In-play
We have no recent in-play guidance.
*As ever, follow our daily in-play updates and tips on our Hero Open in-play page*
Designed by Donald Steel, Forest of Arden GC was a regular European Tour stop in the late 90s and early 2000s. However, it has not been used since the 2005 British Masters - it is only because the course has a large onsite hotel that the venue returns as part of the European Tour's six tournament UK swing.
It is a traditional par 72 with four par 5s and four 3s. Located in the Midlands it is a parkland track with plenty of water in play. Accuracy is very much the order of the day.
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
Continue to exercise an abundance of caution (credit: Chase Koepka and the PGA Tour) in relation to Covid-19 related withdrawals.
Trends
Looking at past events here we can see accurate hitters have enjoyed success. Past winners of the English Open when it was played here include Pater O'Malley, Colin Montgomerie and Robert Allenby. When the British Masters was played here Greg Owen was also a winner.
Interestingly there appears to be a possible correlation with the Arnold Palmer designed K Club in Ireland. Darren Clarke is a multiple winner at the Forest of Arden and past champion at the K Club when it hosted the European Open.
Peter O'Malley won the 2001 English Open and is a two time runner up at the K Club. Michael Campbell won at the K Club in 2002 and finished runner up here in 2000. Colin Montgomerie had an excellent record at both events (albeit he had an excellent record at most places in the early 2000s).
The reason we mention this link is that the 2016 Irish Open was played at the K Club, giving us a more recent look at who might be suited to this week's test.
Stats Analysis
Given that past champions at the Forest of Arden include O'Malley, Monty, Owen and Allenby we can say that driving accuracy is very much a key stat. Those four were fairway-finding machines and we should look for players of their ilk.
In-play
We have no recent in-play guidance.
*As ever, follow our daily in-play updates and tips on our Hero Open in-play page*
Hero Open - Six To Watch
As outlined in our Tipping Record, our strategy is to focus on speciality bets and value in-play. However, we have identified the following six players if you do wish to place a bet before the event begins:
Mikko Korhonen - 45/1 @ Bet365
Mikko posted a 29th place finish last week on his return to competitive European Tour action. He has won in each of the last two seasons on the European Tour so won't be overawed by the quality of field. He is another accurate driver, ranking 22nd this year in Driving Accuracy and 19th last season. Looking at the link we identified to the K Club, Mikko finished 23rd at the 2016 Irish Open.
Aaron Rai - 50/1 @ Spreadex
If we are looking for a player who can be described as Mr Accurate on the European Tour then Aaron Rai is one of the names topping the shortlist. He ranked 3rd for Driving Accuracy in 2019 and is 5th this season. He ranked 9th last season for Greens In Regulation and although he currently sits 60th in 2020 can be expected to improve upon that. A 21st place finish last week sets him up nicely and he'll be looking to add to his sole European Tour win to date.
Brandon Stone - 66/1 @ Spreadex
At first glance Brandon's 68th place finish last week was extremely disappointing, but a disastrous 79 on Friday saw him fall well down the leaderboard. A classy operator on his day, he's inconsistent and isn't always easy to predict. Odds of 66/1 are sufficiently tempting, however, and he's one to keep an early eye on. A three time European Tour winner who won the Scottish Open in 2018, beating a high class field.
David Horsey - 100/1 @ Spreadex
David finished 14th last week to continue the good form he demonstrated on the 1836 Tour prior to the European Tour resuming. All four rounds were under par, further indicating his consistent form. He ranks 16th in driving accuracy and was 21st last year so should be attacking the pins from the fairways. He stated on Twitter that he had "been working hard technically over lockdown, ball striking/flight improved massively so really pleased with the progress."
Hasn't won since 2015 but is a four time European Tour winner. Still only 35, he's entering the prime of his career.
Matthew Southgate - 125/1 @ Spreadex
Like David Horsey, Matt posted four under par rounds last week to demonstrate he's in decent form ahead. A 35th place finish was a solid effort and given he's a player who thrives playing in the UK and Ireland he's got to be under consideration at a three figure price. He's another accurate player, ranking 7th in Driving Accuracy in 2019 and 46th this season. As we mentioned above, the course has a possible link to the K Club and Matt finished 4th at the Irish Open in 2016.
Adrian Otaegui - 125/1 @ Betvictor
Odds of 125/1 for a player who has two European Tour wins in the past three years are frankly disrespectful in a field of this depth. He's another who posted a decent 16th finish at the 2016 Irish Open at the K Club. He finished a credible 35th last week, but making too many errors. His long game is sufficiently accurate to compete here.
Note - Whilst it's unlikely he will win, it is worth keeping an eye out for David Drysdale as he makes his 500th appearance on the European Tour. As a rookie he played in the final group at the 2002 English Open and states in his European Tour blog that "I’m more looking forward to playing Forest of Arden again than I am making my 500th appearance this week." He missed the cut last week after a poor first round but shot a bogey free round of 2 under par on Thursday.
Mikko Korhonen - 45/1 @ Bet365
Mikko posted a 29th place finish last week on his return to competitive European Tour action. He has won in each of the last two seasons on the European Tour so won't be overawed by the quality of field. He is another accurate driver, ranking 22nd this year in Driving Accuracy and 19th last season. Looking at the link we identified to the K Club, Mikko finished 23rd at the 2016 Irish Open.
Aaron Rai - 50/1 @ Spreadex
If we are looking for a player who can be described as Mr Accurate on the European Tour then Aaron Rai is one of the names topping the shortlist. He ranked 3rd for Driving Accuracy in 2019 and is 5th this season. He ranked 9th last season for Greens In Regulation and although he currently sits 60th in 2020 can be expected to improve upon that. A 21st place finish last week sets him up nicely and he'll be looking to add to his sole European Tour win to date.
Brandon Stone - 66/1 @ Spreadex
At first glance Brandon's 68th place finish last week was extremely disappointing, but a disastrous 79 on Friday saw him fall well down the leaderboard. A classy operator on his day, he's inconsistent and isn't always easy to predict. Odds of 66/1 are sufficiently tempting, however, and he's one to keep an early eye on. A three time European Tour winner who won the Scottish Open in 2018, beating a high class field.
David Horsey - 100/1 @ Spreadex
David finished 14th last week to continue the good form he demonstrated on the 1836 Tour prior to the European Tour resuming. All four rounds were under par, further indicating his consistent form. He ranks 16th in driving accuracy and was 21st last year so should be attacking the pins from the fairways. He stated on Twitter that he had "been working hard technically over lockdown, ball striking/flight improved massively so really pleased with the progress."
Hasn't won since 2015 but is a four time European Tour winner. Still only 35, he's entering the prime of his career.
Matthew Southgate - 125/1 @ Spreadex
Like David Horsey, Matt posted four under par rounds last week to demonstrate he's in decent form ahead. A 35th place finish was a solid effort and given he's a player who thrives playing in the UK and Ireland he's got to be under consideration at a three figure price. He's another accurate player, ranking 7th in Driving Accuracy in 2019 and 46th this season. As we mentioned above, the course has a possible link to the K Club and Matt finished 4th at the Irish Open in 2016.
Adrian Otaegui - 125/1 @ Betvictor
Odds of 125/1 for a player who has two European Tour wins in the past three years are frankly disrespectful in a field of this depth. He's another who posted a decent 16th finish at the 2016 Irish Open at the K Club. He finished a credible 35th last week, but making too many errors. His long game is sufficiently accurate to compete here.
Note - Whilst it's unlikely he will win, it is worth keeping an eye out for David Drysdale as he makes his 500th appearance on the European Tour. As a rookie he played in the final group at the 2002 English Open and states in his European Tour blog that "I’m more looking forward to playing Forest of Arden again than I am making my 500th appearance this week." He missed the cut last week after a poor first round but shot a bogey free round of 2 under par on Thursday.
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