The European Tour heads south from Portugal to Perth, Western Australia for the ISPS Handa Perth International. As a new event there is no defending champ but the Lake Karrinyup CC did host the Johnnie Walker Invitational in 2002 & 2003 so there maybe a little bit of course form to look at.
So let's have a look at those who have been here before & 25 players return with course experience. Needless to say the majority (17) are Aussies or Kiwis, but only two have a top 10, and they are Andre Stolz & Stephen Leaney who both finished 2nd a massive 10 shots behind winner Ernie Els, who set a Tour record 29 under par total. Although both also missed the cut in 2002, and neither has threatened the top of a leaderboard since March.
The most interesting of those with course form for me are David Howell who was 17th & 18th in both years. After a few years in the doldrums is having a more consistent year, shown by his recent form with 5 of 6 cuts made and finishing between 17th & 37th place, the 37th being last week in Portugal. The other is an Aussie and it's Brett Rumford. He also has two solid performances here with 27th & 22nd. The Perth native has also been in solid form recently on tour, he was 2nd at Gleneagles and has followed that up with 19th, 64th & 22nd at the Alfred Dunhill Links.
Some big names have obviously been tempted over with Jason Dufner, Bo Van Pelt & Charl Schwartzel all appearing, and also heading the market at around 5-1, 11-2. BVP arrives in best strokeplay form with 10th at the last two Fedex Cup playoff events, whilst Dufner was 20th & 28th, and Charl hasn't had a top ten since Malaysia in April. However Dufner did get 3 from 4 points at the Ryder Cup, and Charl won his 3 group games in Turkey last week, before losing to Westwood.
I have to say having looked at Brett Rumford and finding out he's from Perth then he does get my pick this week. Played well here on the previous two visits to the course, I guess travelled back to Perth after his solid performance two weeks ago at the Alfred Dunhill, so will be well rested & may well have sneaked a round or two extra practice at the course. Odds of 25-1 have no doubt been pushed out thanks to the presence of the 3 faves.