We make our top win, each-way and match-bet tips for this week's European Tour event at Portstewart, which will be hosted by Rory McIlroy.
Back to win
Hideki Matsuyama – {ODDS:167948575:9/1}
World No. 2 Matsuyama finished second to Brooks Koepka at the US Open in his last start, and if he plays to that standard again this week he will be tough to beat.
Statistically, the 25-year-old has been one of the best players on the PGA Tour this season, recording a win and six top-25s.
He ranks eighth in shots gained off the tee, seventh in greens in regulation, 19th in scrambling and 24th in putting average.
Even though he has never played in this event, Matsuyama proved with a T6 at the 2013 Open that he can play well at a links course.
Each-way shouts
Rafael Cabrera-Bello – {ODDS:167948732:28/1}
With two T4s in his last five starts, Cabrera-Bello is in the kind of form that suggests he will go close this weekend.
The Spaniard has been very consistent all year, missing just four cuts in seventeen events.
He has also recorded four top 10s in the last five years at the Irish Open, most notably finishing second in 2012 and fourth in 2015, both on links courses.
However, given the 33-year-old’s tendency to get into contention but struggle to close, backing him each way is the best best.
Tyrrell Hatton – {ODDS:167948762:33/1}
Don’t be put off by Hatton’s poor recent form.
The Englishman is an excellent links player, and has the tools to get back on track with a strong finish at Portstewart.
Hatton won the 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links, finished fifth at last year’s Open and second at the Scottish Open – a run of results on links courses that no other golfer in this field can match.
He’s not playing well at the moment, but was in fine nick at the start of the season when he clinched six top 20s and three top fives.
The 25-year-old still only has one career win, and it will be difficult for him to triumph given his poor form, but a top-five spot is very possible.
He’s definitely worth an each-way bet.
Outside pick
Jamie Donaldson – {ODDS:167948912:80/1}
Donaldson has finally found some form after struggling for much of the past year.
The Welshman has made three consecutive cuts, and finished seventh at the Nordea Masters and 14th at the BMW International Open.
That run should continue at Portstewart, which is just a 15-minute drive away from Royal Portrush, which was the scene of his 2012 Irish Open victory.
That was one of three consecutive top-10 finishes in this event for the 41-year-old, who has made the cut in six successive Irish Open appearances.
He is definitely worth a punt at this hefty price.
Match bets
Ian Poulter has made five consecutive cuts and finished second at the Players Championship in May.
Back him to beat Chris Wood at {ODDS:168032918:10/11}.
Tommy Fleetwood has finished sixth or better in his last three starts, culminating with his win at the Open de France last weekend.
Back him to beat the out-of-form Justin Rose at {ODDS:168032892:10/11}.
