Just five tournaments remain in the DP World Tour season with this week's offering the Open de Espana at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.
Event seven of the 'Back 9' swing, there is plenty to play for as the battle to qualify for the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links GC on 5th November ramps up.
A two-tee format will be in operation for the first round on Thursday, with Sebastian Soderberg, Ross Fisher and Jacques Kruyswijk beginning from the first hole at 07:40 BST.
Over on the 10th hole at the same time, Oliver Lindell, Davis Bryant and Sebastian Garcia get their rounds under way.
Open de Espana First-Round Leader Tips Summary
Best Bet - Daniel Hillier each-way @ 35/1
Alternative Bet - Nathan Kimsey each-way @ 80/1
Alternative Bet - Brandon Stone each-way @ 90/1
Open de Espana First-Round Leader Prediction
Best Bet: Daniel Hillier each-way @ 35/1
Distance control and sharp approach play will be key to success this week and Daniel Hillier is a player who thrives in that department, evidenced by his ranking of eighth in greens in regulation.
The New Zealander is 25th in strokes gained tee to green and he has some decent form in the book heading into this event, with a tied-30th finish coming at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last week.
Hillier was tied ninth on his Open de Espana debut in 2023 and he has the skillset to make an early statement in Madrid.
Alternative Bet: Nathan Kimsey each-way @ 80/1
Just three players sit ahead of Nathan Kimsey in greens in regulation on the DP World Tour and his ability to consistently find the putting surfaces should stand him in good stead this week.
The Englishman, who is also second in driving accuracy, has no issue from tee to green and any improvement with the putter, which has been the limiting club this season, could see him make early inroads on Thursday.
Kimsey was third in the 2018 edition, when he sat joint-sixth after the opening 18 holes, and he looks like a solid each-way play to be at the summit come the end of round one this year.
Alternative Bet: Brandon Stone each-way @ 90/1
Brandon Stone is another player who has been consistent with the irons this season, as he sits 13th in greens in regulation, and his strong approach play should aid his cause.
The South African shared ninth place after the first round of the Open de France two starts ago, eventually finishing that tournament in tied seventh, while he was in the top five following the opening 18 holes of the Alfred Dunhill.
Building on his fast starts has been the issue for Stone, who ended up tied 42nd in Scotland last week, so backing him to be leading after day one looks to be the best betting play for him.
Key Tournament Stats
Club de Campo Villa de Madrid has hosted this tournament since 2019
A par 71 measuring 7,112 yards, there are 11 par-fours, three par-fives and four par-threes to negotiate
There has been a Spanish winner in five of the last seven editions
Ugo Coussaud and Sam Bairstow were tied for the first-round lead last year after signing for 65s
Marco Penge, the 2025 champion, was one shot off the first-round lead
South African Thomas Aiken is the last non-European to win this event back in 2011
Read more golf betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
