Singapore Classic tips: Paul Casey to showcase stellar LIV form at Laguna National

Singapore Classic key stats:

• When: March 21-24 2024
• Where: Laguna National Golf and Country Club, Singapore
• How long: 7,420 yards - par 72
• What to expect: Hilly terrain, five lakes in play, thick penal rough
• Who won last year: Ockie Strydom (-19)

Last year’s inaugural Singapore Classic was the first time an event in south-east Asia was not co-sanctioned with Asian Tour, which had made the decision to team up with LIV Golf. 

The action tees off late on Wednesday night UK time on the Classic Course at Laguna National Golf Club. This week’s action takes place on the Classic course, as it did last year when South African Ockie Strydom won by one stroke from Sami Valimaki.

Shane Lowry flies over from Florida to compete here and has promptly been installed as the 8/1 favourite. The popular Irishman is showing good form at present, but has not won for a long time and may not find the heat and humidity of Singapore to his liking.

Next in the betting is Matthieu Pavon, who also flies over from The USPGA Tour, where he recently marked his rookie season with an early win in the Farmers Insurance Open, and was third at Pebble Beach the following week. The Frenchman has struggled to reach those heights since, however, and missed the Cut at last week’s Players Championship, so it’s difficult to jump on board at 14/1.

Of more interest, and arguably better betting value, is veteran Englishman Paul Casey, who joins the DP World Tour for this tournament from his exploits with LIV. 

A winner around the world in his career and a top-seven finisher in all four majors (albeit never winning one), he was beaten in a play-off by Abraham Ancer in the latest LIV Golf tournament in Hong Kong and came fifth the week before in Las Vegas. 

Casey is known to like playing on the Paspalum grass used in Singapore, and with his game clearly in good nick, he looks a decent-value bet at 12/1.

Suggested bet: Paul Casey (12/1) each-way in the Singapore Classic

Thriston Lawrence was able to compete in his homeland in recent weeks, and while the jury is out as to whether Asian conditions suit his game, in this field, the South African must have a chance in this company. 

Keita Nakajima is a winner on the Asian Tour and has shown up well on the DP circuit recently. He should be suited by conditions and there is value in his 33/1 odds this week. Another Japanese golfer, Rikuya Hoshino, is even bigger at 50/1, tasty odds indeed for a player who is a winner in Asia and will be well used to conditions this week.

Richard Mansell certainly has the game and the mindset to grind it out in this part of the world, having tied for sixth here last year and with his ability to hit the ball a long way he looks to be decent each-way value at around 28/1.

Mansell has made the top 25 in all four of his entered tournaments this year, finishing ninth at Ras Al Khaimah in January, and the same spot again when last seen at the Qatar Masters six weeks ago.

Suggested bet: Richard Mansell (28/1) each-way in the Singapore Classic

Others to watch:

• Ugo Coussard (70/1) - Runner-up in Qatar in first Tour season, the Frenchman knows how to contend at a big price
• Ockie Strydom (120/1) - Very much a hit-or-miss golfer, but can clearly play this course, so worth a sprinkle at huge odds for a reigning champion
• Freddy Schott (125/1) - Bounced back to form last time out after a dodgy spell, and if that is a sign of maintained improvement, then his price could look huge by Sunday
• Satoshi Kodaira (225/1) - Another Japanese golfer who used to contend on tour, and no better time to rediscover your mogo than when you’re a 225/1 outsider!

Suggested bet: Ockie Strydom (120/1) each-way in the Singapore Classic

Suggested bet summary:

• Paul Casey (12/1) - 3 points each-way
• Richard Mansell (28/1) - 1 point each-way 
• Ockie Strydom  (120/1) - 0.5 points each-way