The RSM Classic tips: Alex Noren spearheads European charge in Georgia

The Sea Island Golf Course is again the host, with two different tracks used on the opening two days, with the Seaside Course staging the weekend’s drama. 

Both the Seaside and the Plantation course provide wide fairways and large greens, and their relatively short yardage (7,005 par-70 and 7,060 par-72 respectively) encourage high scoring, although their coastal setting might well bring tricky winds into play at times..

Ludwig Aberg currently shares the 14/1 favourite tag with Russell Henley this week. Aberg looks a worthy market leader after his stellar rookie season and bizarrely the young Swede is still trying to accumulate enough ranking points to secure his full card for the tour in 2024. 

The price of the market leaders is an indication of how open this event could turn out to be, which is why Alex Noren catches the eye at a mid-market price of 28/1.

Aberg’s compatriot was runner-up to Camilo Villegas in Bermuda last weekend, perhaps unlucky to be undone by the Colombian’s eagle at the last. 

Noren is a top ball-striker whose game is clearly in good shape, so it would be no surprise to see him in contention again in this weak field, and maybe even go one better this time.

Suggested bet: Alex Noren each-way in the DP World Tour Championship

Eric Cole is another more than useful 28/1 shot in this week’s company, and is surely primed to mark his rookie year with an overdue win sometime soon. 

Three top fours in his last four starts include fourth in the Fortinet, third in the Shriners and second last-time out at the Zozo, so could he complete the set with a first place here? 

Matthias Schmid was in contention throughout last week before being edged into third place in Bermuda for his best-yet PGA Tour finish.

Given that form it seems strange that he is still available here at a tasty 60/1, which could be worth considering if you can get the eight each-way places that are generally available with some bookmakers.

Suggested bet: Matti Schmid each-way in the DP World Tour Championship

Cam Young is apparently in good form in practice rounds, but he is still a maiden on tour and I would not wish to back him at a price as low as 18/1 until I can see that he can win.

Brendan Todd likes a short course and he likes coastal terrain so this weekend should work in his favour - twice over. A three-time winner on tour and known as a good putter, his 35/1 price gives each-way punters some hope.

We round off our shortlist of likely and less likely contenders with Mackenzie Hughes, who has won here before, albeit back in 2016, and was the runner-up in 2021. He was seventh recently at the WWT Championship and so may be finding his form at just the the right time to make a mockery of his 70/1 price.

Suggested bet: Mackenzie Hughes each-way in the DP World Tour Championship

Summary of suggested bets:

• Alex Noren 2 points each way at 28/1
• Matti Schmid, 1 point each way at 60/1
• Mackenzie Hughes, 1 point each way at 70/1

All prices provided by Planet Sport Bet were correct at the time of writing but could be subject to change