DP World Tour
Halfway Heaven at Kitzbuhel: Johnston Storms Clear, Lindberg Struggles
Andrew Johnston has turned on the afterburners at Kitzbuhel-Schwarzsee. The Englishman’s first-round 67 leaves him 11 under par and a commanding one shot clear of the field heading into Round 2. Kota Kaneko and Calum Hill share second at 10 under, with Rafa Cabrera Bello just one back of them. It’s shaping up as a proper shootout on a course that’s clearly rewarding aggressive golf.
Our Pre-Tournament Pick
Mikael Lindberg hasn’t fired. Our tip sits one under par after a 71 in Round 1, trailing the leader by 12 shots. That 68 opener at least showed some promise, but the second-round 71 has left him outside the top 15 and with work to do just to make the cut. The Austrian Alpine presents him with a chance to reset in Round 2, but the odds have drifted considerably from the pre-event mark. He needs a low number on Friday to stay in the conversation.
Who’s in Contention
Johnston is the man to beat and the market agrees: 40/1 at bet365 reflects his pole position. Kaneko and Hill are joint-second favourites at 18/1, both at 10 under and well-positioned to challenge. Cabrera Bello sits three shots back at 25/1, but his opening 64 suggests he’s got plenty left in the tank. Below that tier, Marcel Schneider at 16/1 is the most intriguing option among the chasing pack: an eight-under start keeps him very much alive, and the 16/1 offers a shade of value given his proximity to the top three.
Round 2 Betting Angles
Johnston’s lead is real but fragile. In 72-hole events at this level, an 11-under position after 18 holes rarely holds, especially with the cut still to negotiate. Watch for Kaneko and Hill to apply immediate pressure: both shot 65s and both are just one back. Either could easily post a 64 or 65 to seize the initiative.
The second angle is Marcel Schneider’s value at 16/1. He opened with a 64 and sits eight under, just three shots adrift. This is a player capable of a low round at a track that’s serving up scoreable golf. A second-round 66 or better would push him into genuine contention and tighten the odds considerably.
Finally, keep an eye on the mid-pack for cut danger. Yanhan Zhou and Ricardo Gouveia both shot level par in their openers despite the scoring conditions, a warning sign at Kitzbuhel. They’ll need to find form in Round 2 to avoid a nervous wait.
Our Updated Pick
Odds: 16/1 – bet365
Schneider’s opening 64 puts him within reasonable striking distance at eight under, just three shots behind Johnston. The field behind is stacked but fragile: Kaneko and Hill are proven tournament players, but Schneider showed exactly the form needed on Friday with that low round. At 16/1 from his current position, he offers value compared to the shorter-priced co-favourites. A pair of solid rounds keeps him very much in the frame.
Top 5 After Round 1
| Pos | Player | R1 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Johnston | 67 | -11 |
| 2 | Kota Kaneko | 65 | -10 |
| 3 | Calum Hill | 65 | -10 |
| 4 | Rafa Cabrera Bello | 64 | -10 |
| 5 | Tom Vaillant | 67 | -8 |
Like This? Get More Picks Free
Weekly free bets, odds picks and betting guides โ straight to your inbox.