There is a massive field of 204 for this week’s European Tour event, the Singapore Open at Sentosa, which gets under way late on Thursday night.
For some, this is a warm-up for week’s Presidents Cup, whilst others are trying to secure cards for next season or a place in the season-ending Dubai World Championships. For Graeme McDowell (18/1 Paddy Power), it’s an opportunity to put what has been a pretty wretched season behind him by chalking up his first win and third place in last weeks high-class HSBC Champions in Shanghai and here last year will give him plenty of encouragement.
He will have his work cut out, though, as this is a deep field and a truly international one at that with a particularly strong contingent from the PGA Tour, which includes Phil Mickelson (18/1 joint favourite with McDowell), Anthony Kim (second in the recent Shanghai Masters) and Camilo Villegas, who is coming off fourth place in the Asia Pacific.
There are two courses being used this week and both are par-71s, although the Tanjong course is around 700 shorter than the Serapong layout and therefore has different characteristics. Together, they provide an all-round test, although, as is often the case with dual course events, the ability to find the greens in regulation is a must. An even bigger challenge will be the weather as thunderstorms are forecast every day and disruption is a certainty.
My Three Against the Field:-
Camilo Villegas @ 25/1 bet365 (1/4 odds, 1.2.3.4.5.6)
It’s hard to believe that McDowell, Kim and Villegas are winless in 2011 and all will be hungry to put that right this week. Of the trio, I like Villegas best as the Colombian has been playing some nice golf of late after a very slow start to the season with fourth place last week following on from a trio of top-10s in the States. Deadly accurate with his irons, he will find this week’s rain-softened greens to his liking and that should present him with plenty of looks at birdie.
bet365 are one of five firms (the others being Paddy Power, Boylesports, Ladbrokes and William Hill) offering enhanced place terms this week of one quarter the odds, six places, so they should be your first point of call.
Nicolas Colsaerts @ 55/1 Boylesports (1/4 odds, 1.2.3.4.5.6)
The Belgian has a great all-round game but hitting greens in regulation is what he does best (ranked 6th on Tour with 75.5%) and as a result I’m expecting him to have a big week. One of the most improved players on Tour this season, he was breaking his duck when winning the China Open back in April and subsequent efforts include third place in the prestigious Volvo World Matchplay and Scottish Open. He turns 29 on Monday and I fancy he might be celebrating that along with a second Tour win.
Danny Willett @ 100/1 @ Coral
After a stellar 2010, much was expected of the vicar’s son this season but it just hasn’t happened with seventh place in China his best effort. However, recent performances have been more encouraging and 23rd at Valderrama last time was a particularly good effort as that short track would not have suited his game. A superb driver who finds plenty of greens too (ranked 28th on Tour), he should be standing over plenty of birdie putts this week and can make his presence felt at huge odds.
Recommended Bets:-
Camilo Villegas 2pts each-way @ 25/1 bet365 (1/4 odds, six places)
Nicolas Colsaerts 1pt each-way @ 55/1 Boylesports (1/4, six places)
Danny Willett 0.5pt each-way @100/1 Coral
