Golf
Tournament Preview: SA Open – Odds, Tips, and Predictions
Date: February 27 – March 2, 2025 Tee-off Time: [Insert Time] Venue: Durban Country Club The Investec South African Open Championship returns to Durban Country Club, with defending champion Dean Burmester leading a strong field, alongside the likes of Shaun Norris and Dylan Frittelli who will vie for the title. Africa’s biggest golfing event runs from February 27 to March 2, 2025, and with major ranking points and a spot in the Open Championship on the line, the comp on the East Coast will be hotly contested. Now’s the time to check out the best betting sites for shifting odds as the tournament proceeds. We got you covered for any golf betting sites!
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The South African Open is one of the oldest national opens in the world, and the stage is set for the 11th edition. A host of iconic names have previously lifted the trophy, from hometown hero Ernie Els to global great Vijay Singh to national treasure Gary Player, and four-time Open champion Bobby Locke.
Dean Burmester returns to defend his title with some old competitors ready to strike while the iron is hot. Shaun Norris recently went back-to-back with wins in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and claimed his seventh Japan Golf Tour win at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup. Meanwhile Frittelli makes the quick trip back home from Bahrain, where he secured his third DP World Tour Victory, marking his first tour win in over six years.
Durban Country Club, a par-72 course at 6,691 yards, is known for its rolling fairways and coastal layout, making accuracy and strategy key. Strong iron play and putting will be essential as previous winners have thrived on such, but most importantly, accuracy and course management should come into play.
Pre-Tournament Betting Odds and Win Probability
The best online sports betting has to offer entertaining previews and juicy golfing odds on leading tournament favourite Dean Burmester after recent performances and past success at the Durban Country Club and around South Africa. In close second, Lauri Canter is considered a strong challenger because of his consistency in recent events but beware of his tendency to fade off when it matters. Lastly, Jordan Smith follows close as the best outside chance to possibly sink the top contenders getting the ball rolling early on this year with impressive accuracy from hitting the fairway to sinking those putts.
- Format: 72-hole strokeplay with 36-hole cut
- Purse: £1.2 million with the winner receiving an estimated £160,000
- Race to Dubai / Ryder Cup points: 3,000/1,000
- Defending champion: Dean Burmester (RSA), -11
- Most wins: Gary Player (ENG), 13
Favourites:
- Dean Burmester: 11/1 (8.3%-win probability)
- Laurie Canter: 14/1 (6.7%-win probability)
- Jordan Smith: 22/1 (4.5%-win probability)
Key Player Updates
| Attribute | Dean Burmester | Lauri Canter | Jordan Smith |
| Age | 35 | 35 | 32 |
| World Ranking | 132 | 53 | 104 |
| Events Played 2025 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Driving Accuracy 2024 | 54.37% | 58.98% | 62.02% |
| Greens In Regulation 2024 | 66.38% | 68.12% | 73.26% |
| Putting Average 2024 | 1.62 | 1.78 | 1.79 |
Previous winners and their prices
- 2023: Dean Burmester -11 8/1
- 2022: Thriston Lawrence -16 25/1
- 2021: Daniel van Tonder -16 31/1
- 2020: Christiaan Bezuidenhout -18 43/5 *
- 2020: Branden Grace -21 24/1 *
- 2018: Louis Oosthuizen -12 8/1
- 2017: Chris Paisley -21 399/1
- 2017: Graeme Storm -18 (playoff) 179/1
- 2016: Brandon Stone 55/1
- 2015: Andy Sullivan 33/1
- 2013: Morten Orum Madsen 80/1
- 2012: Henrik Stenson 14/1
- 2011: Hennie Otto 33/1
- 2010: Ernie Els 9/1
Contender News
Let’s take a look at four contenders set to compete at the SA Open. Two of which are clear favourites and likely to fall high up on the standings. One, an outside contender, playing consistently and offers a decent outside chance. Finally, another who could upset the applecart riding some heavy odds for the punter to really consider.
Dean Burmester (11/1, 8.3%-win probability)
The defending champ is back and looking to go back-to-back. Burnmester’s LIV Tour playoff clutch up versus Sergio Garcia shows his grit in pressure moments. Even more so, his scramble game keeps him above the water when those drives don’t hit the fairway. After all that, we must expect him to get his putting game rolling early on for his odds of 11/1 to glorify him as the betting favourite.
Laurie Canter (14/1, 6.7%-win probability)
Canter just secured a playoff victory in Bahrain but went on to T35 in the Qatar Masters showing inconsistency and much-needed room for improvement. He will start off like a house on fire, but the latter stages seem to always bug him.
Jordan Smith (22/1, 4.5%-win probability)
Jordan Smith is bullish, but can he back it up? Ahead of the Team Cup last year, his pressers had buzzing headlines of “beat these guys”. Although maybe not the most sporting like approaches a golfer can have, he could be a contender after his T6 at the Porsche Euro Open and T20 at the US Open last season – really impressive!
Charl Schwartzel (31/1, 3.13%-win probability)
The veteran and former Masters champ might not be at his peak anymore, but he’s playing on home soil here. Surely, he knows the Durban Country Club like the back of his hand? The ice in his veins could carry him in the latter stages, he just needs to get out the starting blocks. A long shot? Yeah sure, but there’s some big odds on this old dog.
Suggested Bets
Jordan Smith to win: He has been keeping busy since the start of the year, and his stats are walking-the-walk. Surely, the young Brit can walk away with the prize money here. (22/1 with Betway)
Leader After Round One: Lauri Canter generally starts like a house on fire but tapers off when it matters. He really could take the lead after round one. (26/1 with 888Starz)
Two or More Hole In Ones (Yes): The par 3 fourth hole has a sotired history of hole-in-ones, and with good weather conditions on the horizon we should ring that bell a few times. (3/1 with 1xBet)
Tournament Prediction
We’re going with Jordan Smith here. He has been putting in the work and has the ball-striking ability to get it done. A T6 at the Porsche Euro Open and the T20 at the US Open proved there is ice in his veins to get this done. Burmester will not be a pushover, and he will be in the mix, but defending is a tough ask. Canter is predicted to get off to a flying start, but should fade, and on the more exciting note, the former Masters winner, Schwartzel could dust off his world class capabilities one last time to finally put his hands on the one that has eluded him all these years. But if Smith finds his rhythm, this could be the one he takes home.
Joshua Gaillard is a freelance editor and dedicated Arsenal fan, known for creating fact-based, insightful content. His work, featured on top South African websites, blends analysis with engaging storytelling for clear, impactful articles.
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