The USA, 11/10 winners of the Presidents Cup, are 9/1 with bet365 for this week's World Cup from the Mission Hills Resort, Hainan Island, China.
Their hopes rest on the pairing of Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland and with the latter's length off the tee sure to be an asset on this par-73, 7,808-yard monster, they will have their backers. However, this is a 28-team competition and there are some high-class pairs, including Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell for Ireland, who carry the mantle of favouritism this week at 4/1, and the in form South African pairing of Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen at 11/2. They are closely followed in the betting by England's pair of Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, who tied for fourth in 2007 and are 13/2 this time, with last year's winners Italy, again represented by the Molinari brothers, at 10/1.
All are plausible winners but I'm going to put up SWEDEN at 12/1 with Ladbrokes as the value bet. One half of their combo, Robert Karlsson, has plenty of experience of this event, having won it in 2008 with Henrik Stenson before finishing second with the same compatriot in the following year, and he now teams up with Alexander Noren (his pick), who is twice a winner this year and in good company too. Both give it a good hit off the tee - Karlsson is marginally longer at 299 yards to 295 - and this is the not the first time they have paired up either as they secured two points (from two) for the European side in the 2010 Royal Trophy, which was played on a course not dissimilar to this one.
This is a different format with rounds one and three played as 'better-ball' and rounds two and four played as foursomes, but that shouldn't inconvenience the duo. Both are capable of shooting very low scores which is essential in better-ball as the lowest score on each hole counts, while their equality of length will be an asset in the foursomes, which involves players taking turns hitting the same ball until it's holed, as they will be able to help each other out with yardages etc. I also like the fact Noren considers the more senior Karlsson his mentor and will be going all out to repay the faith he has shown in picking him. With place terms of one quarter the odds, four places, they look a cracking each-way bet at the 12s.
Both Germany (Martin Kaymer and Alex Cejka) and Scotland (Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher) could do well at 16/1 and 33/1 respectively, but I can't see them winning and I'd much rather have a 'saver' on second favourites SOUTH AFRICA. Both Schwartzel and Oosthuizen arrive here in excellent form, even preferring this event to playing in their national Open, and are powerful enough to cope with the extra length and severity of the par-5s. It's not always a given that two compatriots are good friends but these two are the best of buddies and that will count for a lot this week. Okay, the 11/2 on offer is not great but they make the most appeal of the market leaders.
Recommended Bets:-
Sweden 2pts each-way @ 12/1 Ladbrokes (1/4 odds, 1.2.3.4)
South Africa 2pts @ 11/2 bet365
