The Money List: Best bets for the Irish Open

04 Jul

Jack Green

Make the most of this week's European Tour event at Ballyliffin with our tipster's top win, each-way and outside picks.

Back to win: Rafael Cabrera-Bello –

Cabrera-Bello has gone close at the Irish Open several times before, finishing second in 2012, fifth in 2013 and fourth in 2015.

The Spaniard missed the cut last year but has otherwise fared well when this event has been played at links courses.

With wins at the Scottish Open and Dubai Desert Classic, Cabrera-Bello has proved he can triumph in windy conditions, and his T4 at last year’s Open also shows what a threat he is when it comes to links golf.

The 34-year-old is in good form, with a T8 and a fourth place in his last four starts, and has to be considered a contender this week.

Each-way shout: Paul Dunne –

Irishman Dunne picked up a T21 at last week’s French Open and should improve upon that result at Ballyliffin.

The 25-year-old has never finished higher than 54th at this event, but has had some success at links-style courses in the past two years, including top-20s at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and Open de France in 2017.

Dunne has proved his resolve in a big European Tour event before, seeing off Rory McIlroy by three shots at last year’s British Masters with a final-round 61, and he should relish going up against the four-time major winner again this week.

The world No. 72 has four top-10 finishes in his last eight starts, and has a great chance of at least being in contention at his home tournament.

Outside shot: Eddie Pepperell –

Pepperell was disqualified at last week’s BMW International Open for signing an incorrect card, and the Englishman has been in mediocre form of late, making three successive cuts prior to that DQ but finishing no higher than 14th.

The 27-year-old did pick up his first European Tour win earlier this year though at the Qatar Masters, and is one to watch over this three-week stretch of links golf.

Pepperell earned a T2 at the Irish Open in 2015 and a T8 a year later, and he also has top-10 finishes at the Scottish Open and Alfred Dunhill on his record.

is a big price for a player who’s not in terrible form, has won this year and is nicely suited to the course, so the Englishman is certainly worth a punt.