Thomas Pieters finally returned to the winner’s circle on the European Tour last week. The big-hitting Belgian is far too good to have gone two years without a win but he did have his challenges in recent times so had to work very hard to overcome them. With Pieters taking a well-earned rest this week many other big names on the European Tour are vying to claim a win of their own in the Scandinavian Invitation.
Andy Sullivan is one of the most well-known players in the field this week. He’s had some tough times with his golf since making his Ryder Cup debut in 2016 but Sullivan is finally playing consistently well and can remind everybody of his quality with a fourth European Tour win at a very nice price indeed.
Top Tips
Andy Sullivan @ 33/1
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Course Info
The Scandinavian Invitation has gone by many different names since being introduced to the schedule in 1991. Indeed, the tournament was a result of a merge between the Volvo Open and the Scandinavian Enterprise Open which became part of the European Tour back in 1973. Despite another new name, little has changed with the tournament from last year. It’s being held just one week later and at the same course, Hills Golf Club.
Hills GC is a very interesting design from Steve Forrest and Arthur Hills. They’ve crafted a course of contrasts. Some parts are tree-lined, others exposed to the elements; some holes are relatively flat, others feature significant undulations.
The official yardage of 6,865 isn’t long even for a par 70 so this is a course where iron play and accuracy are favoured over out and out power. Players who are comfortable working the ball both ways and confident enough to attack the pins even when the ball is above or below their feet will go well this week. In contrast, those not feeling confident about their games could rack up some big numbers.
| Course | Location | Length | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hills Golf Club | Mölndal, Sweden | 6,865 Yards | €1,500,000 |
Recent Winners
The nomadic nature of the Scandinavian Masters means that it’s been won by players with differing styles of play and very different career records in the last five years. Paul Waring and Renato Paratore both claimed their maiden European Tour victories at this event. Matt Fitzpatrick had won just once before his win at Bro Hof Slot but Alex Noren and Thongchai Jaidee were multiple winners around the world prior to their successes.
| Year | Winner | Course | To Par | Winning Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Paul Waring | Hills Golf Club | -14 | Playoff |
| 2017 | Renato Paratore | Barseback | -11 | 1 Stroke |
| 2016 | Matt Fitzpatrick | Bro Hof Slot | -16 | 3 Strokes |
| 2015 | Alex Noren | PGA Sweden National | -12 | 4 Strokes |
| 2014 | Thongchai Jaidee | PGA Sweden National | -16 | Playoff |
Analysis: Expect Runs From Deep Over the Weekend
Despite the relatively limited previous course form to go on, it does look as though scoring at Hills Golf Club is very much weather-dependent. Scoring was low when conditions suited last year. If that is anything to go by then we should be in for a cracking weekend. The wind and rain that is set to characterise Thursday and Friday should clear for perfect golfing conditions on Saturday and Sunday. Players who hang tough to make the cut have every chance of turning it on and making a run through the field on the weekend which suggests the Scandinavian Invitational is ripe for in-play betting.
Sullivan to Ease His Way Back Into Contention
Andy Sullivan returns to action after a fairly lengthy summer break. The Englishman was last seen when missing the cut at the Open Championship, a result which was particularly disappointing as he’d rediscovered some of his best golf in the lead up to Royal Portrush.
Sullivan has had reason to worry about the trajectory of his career in the last year or so. As alarming as his slide down to 178th in the world was, he has shown good fight to return to form. Prior to the Open, Sullivan registered results of 28-2-13-26, with the second place coming against a quality field at the Irish Open. This is Sullivan’s first look at Hills Golf Club but it’s a course that should suit his eye which makes him a tempting bet at 33/1 with Coral.
Molinari Another Working His Way Back
Edoardo Molinari didn’t especially enjoy his time in Sweden 12 months ago. The Italian managed to make the cut but couldn’t find anything over the weekend and ended up finishing above only three players who made it to the weekend. He returns to Hills Golf Club feeling much better about his game following an extended run of good form.
Molinari is one of the European Tour’s thinkers and tinkerers. He’s also playing with his training and equipment to try and find an edge and has clearly struck upon something recently. Like Sullivan, Molinari is looking for a fourth European Tour win and looks good value at 55/1 with bet365 to make a good run at it.
Final Verdict: Andy Sullivan to Win
Andy Sullivan enjoyed a real purple patch with his golf in 2015. He won three tournaments in less than a year but has never really reached that sort of level again. Having turned some hard work away from the course into good results on it, Sullivan could be on the cusp of another winning run, perhaps starting as soon as this week’s Scandinavian Invitation where he is 33/1 with Coral.