Challenge de Espana

Subscribe

Alvaro Velasco - 1.5 points e/way @ 20-1

Steven Brown - 1.5 points e/way @ 55-1

(only Bet365 are up at the moment but keep eyes peeled for other shows) 

The island of La Gomera may be small, but the Challenge De Espana always produces fireworks at the Tecina course and expect a winning score of around 20-under this week.

A wide-open course with little penal rough, first tip Alvaro Velasco describes it as such, saying there are plenty of wedges to the greens and plenty of birdie oppertunties. The outstanding Brooks Koepka won by 10 shots here last year in 24-under, and recent scores no worse than -18 mean that players need to arrive with huge confidence in their game. 2010 Champion Velasco has that back in his armoury and 'always excited to be back at La Gomera' looks a worthy 20-1 shot. His win came courtesy of a second round 63, backed up with a weekend 68/65, and whilst he missed the cut in his defence, 32nd wasn't a horrendous result last season given he came into the event in poor form but notably it did incude two rounds of 65/66. This year he has regained his confidence with an opening 23rd at tough Kenya and recently 12th in his national Open (in front of Frani Molinari, Danny Willett, Matteo etc) and 19th in the more forgiving Czech last week when two late bogies cost him a top-10. With a few of the better players in Austria this week, this is an oppertunity for the experienced 33-year-old to shine and he is the most favoured of the top lot.

Steven Brown had an excellent amateur career, eventually playing in the victorious 2011 Walker Cup side alongside the likes of Tom Lewis, although other compatriots include Eddie Pepperell and Tommy Fleetwood, all of whom have gone on to be top-class in Europe. In his own words, he has been slower to 'get there' than some but is in no rush, believeing he is good enough to win at this level. Back in that international match, Brown beat a certain Russell Henley whilst also facing the likes of Jordan Spieth through the week, form that needs no advertising. Since then, he has won 3 events on the Alps Tour (one early in 2014) which if anything, will prove to himself that he can win, and he is enjoying the consistency that comes with playing regular Challenge Tour golf. Top-5 in the opening event at Kenya, a venue he has not previously done well at, before a return to form last week at the scoring Czech venue (6th) are good results in this context and he still has time to catch his boyhood mates. I had him around the 30-35 mark this week given his promise in such a weak field and at 55-1 he must be a play.