European Legends Marbella

An event that starts Friday so still plenty of time to get your bets on, it interests me a lot as a betting proposition because the top four players are taking out 50% of the market and I don't think 25 of the remaining 60 players can challenge yet we are still getting 5 places so there must be some e/w value!!

Both favourites Bjorn and Jimenez at least have some match fitness on their side having played in two Champions Tour events this year. Jimenez was poor last week in the Chubb Classic by his standards and was only 4th in this last year. Of the two Bjorn would have to be the most likely winner as he won twice on the Champions Tour last year.

There are two tour debutants this week that are old familiar names and prices range widely about Alastair Forsyth and Soren Hansen. Without going into too much detail from memory Hansen was the better player (yet is bigger odds) but neither has been seen in competition for ten years. When I back players like McNeill last week on the Champions Tour they have still been playing and are well prepared - those are the ones to back on their first starts.

We have an interesting defending champion this week, bit weird as I have already backed Aberg and Kruyswijk on different courses on PGA/DP, but Simon Griffiths has to be of interest. He spent most of his career playing in the Far East but never won but was rookie of the year on this tour in 2024 peaking with a win @ La Manga in Spain in November - he was 5th in his defence of that title before Christmas. He showed his liking for Spain when winning this last year so has to be of interest. I do think the prices from 30 to 40 e/w are dismissive of his chances.

Of the big priced outsiders there are a couple who offer a bit of place value though they are both yet to win on this tour. Michael Jonzon is also "match fit" having won the Q School in Turkey last month and although he was poor here last year when 50th he was 4th and 6th @ Aloha when it was used on the European Tour back in 2007 and 2008. He did manage a 5th in September on tour and odds of around 150/1 with 5 places is fair. The other is Lionel Alexandre who had a break out year on this tour in 2025 with four top five finishes including a 4th here so odds of 125/1 ew are worth a small investment.