Fantasy Golf: Turkish Airlines Open

Published:

The European Tour heads to Turkey for the penultimate event in this year’s Race to Dubai Final Series.

Opened in 2008, the Montgomerie Maxx Royal lies 30km east of Antalya on the Mediterranean coast. Designed by the eight-time European Order of Merit winner, the 7,132-yard layout features pine forest, undulating fairways and eight lakes.

Strangely for a par 72, there are five par-fives and five par-threes. It is far from the longest course the players will face but the extra eagle opportunity benefits the bigger hitters as Victor Dubuisson’s 24-under winning total proved last year.

Early rain softened the course 12 months ago as 43 of the 78-man field finished on 10-under or better. Conditions and minor alterations might curb the scoring slightly but expect another birdie-fest with players looking to secure their place in the top 60 and entry to next week’s lucrative DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

A strong field is gathered for the second staging of the event, with nine members of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team amongst those competing for a share of the $7m prize fund. Contrary to some reports the Race to Dubai is not yet over, though Sergio Garcia, Jamie Donaldson and Marcel Siem must all win this week and next to be in with a chance of overhauling Rory McIlroy.

Here’s the Team TG line-up this week…

Jamie Donaldson, £1.8m
One of three men who can overhaul McIlroy but only wins will do. With that in mind he’ll be chasing birdies and that worked just fine for him here last year as a final round 63 saw him finish runner-up. Has had a good Final Series so far with a t-4 at the BMW Masters and t-24 last week when a second round 77 scuppered his chances.

Joost Luiten, £1.8m
Four top-20s in six starts for the Dutchman. Finished t-13 at the BMW Masters and t-28 at Sheshan last week when he responded well to an opening 77. Was t-18 here last year when he closed 65-67.

Nicolas Colsaerts, £1.6m
Ignoring his Hong Kong horror (a second round 79), the Belgian has been sixth or better in three of his last four starts. He should have won the BMW Masters when he blew a halfway lead with 73-71 at the weekend and will enjoy the extra par five on offer this week. Top in driving distance and seventh in greens in regulation this season.

Jonas Blixt, £1.6m
Swede suffered a narrow quarter-final loss to compatriot Henrik Stenson at the Match Play and has been solid since with finishes of t-13 at the CIMB Classic and t-14 at the WGC HSBC Champions. Was t-29 here last year when a second round 74 tempered three sub-68s.

Bernd Wiesberger, £1.6m
Austrian ranked 10th in driving distance and second in greens in regulation as he closed 66-64 to finish t-7 here last year. In decent form with a t-13 at the BMW Masters and he’s long and streaky enough to have a good run here again.

Shane Lowry, £1.2m
The top 15 in the Race to Dubai standings at the end of the year each scoop a share of the $5m bonus pool. The Irishman sits 15th after seven top-20s in his last 11 events. Got off to a poor start here last year but finished 65-67.

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