Andrew's Argentine Open (KFT) Preview

The Korn Ferry Tour returns this week, but the end of the HotelPlanner Tour’s South Africa swing means that I’m spared any more double duty until April. We have two events in Latin America on the KFT before they take a fortnight’s break (in which time the HPT play two events in India) then the HPT break again whilst the KFT return to the USA in late March. Honestly, it feels like someone sensible did some joined-up thinking. I assume it is just a happy coincidence. A word, though, for Oliver Bekker, winner of the Jonsson Workwear and the third South African winner on the HPT so far this year. The veteran was a deserving winner of, somehow, his first win above Sunshine Tour level and he proved the importance of course management at Durban once again – as did places for the likes of John Gough and Pedro Figueiredo.  

Julian Perico and young Pablo Ereno are probably the names to take from this for the remainder of the season, the latter is less than a year removed from a strong amateur career at UCLA and is playing some great golf. A costly eight on the par-four 17^th in his third round, together with two doubles in his second ultimately cost him a chance at a win. His time will come, and at this level, possibly quite soon. It would have been fascinating to see what changes came to the leaderboard had a fourth round been possible. For our selections, it might have helped, with all three flashing something and all three ultimately finishing in the twenties. Matthew Southgate’s third round 65 showed what might have been.

Looking ahead, and we can think again about the very welcome addition of the Argentine Open (which has been going since 1905 and has a storied list of previous winners) to the KFT schedule. This marriage is now into a third year, and the initial response suggests this has been a success for both the KFT and in reinvigorating this grand old event. We’re back at the Jockey Club, which hosted this event last year as well as in 2019 (part of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, as was) and numerous times before that. Let’s get into it.

The Tournament

The Coloarda (Red) course at the Jockey Club is once again providing all 18 holes for this week’s challenge. This is certainly not the longest course the KFT will take on (it is 6,836 yards for a par-70 and I see no evidence of changes since last year, though keep an eye out for late surprises, as ever) but it is worthy of holding an event like this and is yet another course before the Tour settles into the USA which is worth cherishing. From a course quality perspective, all the good stuff happens early. Specifically, this is an Alastair Mackenzie course sitting in San Isidro, which is the posh bit of Bueons Aries. This is generally regarded as one of the best courses in Latin America, noted particularly for challenging and subtle undulations, narrow greens and tough bunkering. The length, though, means that in good conditions modern players can get after it – Justin Suh won (by five strokes) at -23 last year, beating Ian Holt, SH Kim and Cole Sherwood.

I previewed this event last year and we were on S.H. Kim for a nice place return, as well as Tyler Duncan at bigger prices who just missed out in seventh. It felt like an event that I had a decent handle on and I’m looking for similar skills this time around. As I said, “length isn’t a massive advantage, though the two par-fives, both on the back nine, are there to be birdied, especially the 470-yard tenth. More important is accuracy off-the-tee, a good short game and, I think critically, effective course management and nous.” I thought that we’d see tougher weather than proved to be the case and it wasn’t much of a grind, but accuracy, course management and scrambling are certainly going to be significant. Early forecast is for light winds and hot, dry conditions, so I think I’d be looking for some streaky putters, too.

The Selections

I had a single name in mind when I first looked at the odds and no, it wasn’t Ian Holt. He may have won twice this season, he may have been runner-up last year on this course, but I was confident that he wouldn’t be a price that interested me, and I was not disappointed (at 16/1 I’m not interested; last year’s winner Suh at 50/1 did intrigue me, despite a mediocre start to his KFT season.) 

The man I wanted to see a price for was Adam Hadwin, perhaps the classiest of the players dropping down from the PGA this season, and with precisely the sort of measured, all-round game and veteran experience that we’re looking for. He is 28/1. At that price I bet him before even looking at the remaining prices. He was second in Panama before not enjoying the Astara birdie-fest (where he managed 41^st) but can certainly win at this level. His years of solid excellence on the PGA Tour are more than proof of that, whist he was excellent in Latin America on the NationwideTour back in 2014, winning in Chile on a similar course en route to gaining a PGA card he only ceded last year.

The issue with Hadwin is that he may play the PGA event in Florida. I’ve backed him expecting him to play the KFT and, of course, bets will be voided if he doesn’t, and I’d urge you to do the same. My replacement bet, should one be needed, is Mitchell Meissner who, unlike a number of players towards the top of the board has decent course form and good experience in Latin America, and also comes in with good form having been 13^th at the Great Abaco. As well as finishing 20^th here last year and 13^th at a different course two years ago, he was 19^th in this event back in 2022 on a lesser tour. He’s at his best on short courses and shouldn’t be overlooked.

At a slightly larger price, I’m keen to back another Canadian in Mason Andersen, who won, albeit elsewhere, in this event in 2024. He gained his card for last year primarily through a scorching start to the 2024 season and he’s well on his way to repeating that, with a third, an eighth and a 16^th from his four starts this year. His best performances in a forgettable 2025 on the PGA tour were all highlighted by strong scrambling and putting and an accurate game off the tee, all of which will play very nicely here.

Finally, I’m returning to the well with Tyler Duncan, who is a bigger price than he was last year but who has started the season in a similar way. This short, accurate veteran has missed three cuts but was seventh in Panama (last year he was 17^th, but slightly better in the other events.) However, he’s not missing cuts by far, was excellent in Panama and hasn’t had a course to suit in some time. His putting is erratic but can be spectacular and the rest of his game is perfect for this locale. At the price, he’s a confident bet, as the potential for an ordinary week is matched by the possibility of a spectacular one.

• Adam Hadwin, 28/1

• Mason Andersen, 45/1

• Tyler Duncan, 125/1

• (only if Hadwin doesn't play) Mitchell Meissner, 40/1

All 1pt e/w, 1/4 odds 5 places, Bet365.