General / Tareq Quiroz / 27 February 2008 / Leave a Comment

TQ stretches his golf betting muscles after the stresses and strains of what was an arduous WGC Match Play. There will be no let up, though, and we head straight off to India for the European Tour's Johnnie Walker Classic.

After the thrills and spills of last week's match play, the world's top golfers return this week to the relative comfort of regular stroke play. Those wishing to get as far away as possible from the scene of Tiger's incredible win have headed to New Delhi for the Johnnie Walker Classic. A top field have turned out for what promises to be a cracking tournament.

The DLF Golf and Country Club is the setting for what is the second event in India this month. SSP Chowrasia was the toast of India just three weeks ago when he lifted the Indian Masters title after a fabulous final round. He and other top Indian players such as Jeev Milkha Singh are again in the field this week, but they will have to be at their very best to challenge the likes of Adam Scott and Vijay Singh.

When a tournament moves around from course to course it is very difficult to establish a trend that will assist you in selecting the likely contenders. What we do know about this week's course is that it will provide a solid test for all and the winner will be decided primarily by their level of accuracy. The layout features five lakes that cross many of the holes so you can be sure that any misdirected shot will be duly punished.

Scott and Singh are clearly the two big guns this week and obviously both are in with a great chance but for me represent no value. With those two propping the market up there are some good prices about elsewhere.

First stop and main pick this week is the one and only Colin Montgomerie. The choice will surprise some people but I feel that Monty is showing tell tale signs of being ready to win again. This is not just reflected in recent good performances but, more importantly with Monty, in his demeanour and general attitude to the game. He has a good record in Asia in recent years and with a nice early tee time in round one I expect him to get off to a good start. Monty is keen to get back into the world's top fifty and a win this week would secure that goal. Get on him at current odds of [46.0] and watch him storm to victory on Sunday afternoon.

Every week, without fail, there is a player lingering in the lower reaches of the market that just stands out as a must bet at massive odds. This week that dubious honour goes to Jean Van De Velde. The Frenchman is most famously known for his Open collapse but he is a talented player that has had many problems in recent times. There were some signs last year that he is still capable of challenging and although his form this year has been scrappy it is definitely improving. This type of course should suit Van De Velde and I recommend a small wager in the Winner market at [380.0] with another small saver on him in the Top 10 Finish market.

One player who just missed out on nomination for the main pick was Ian Poulter. You can be sure he will win this year and I firmly believe that he will be a multiple winner on tour this season. Poulter will go close this week and I cannot get away from putting him forward as a great bet to beat Jyoti Randhawa in a Tournament Matchbet. Randhawa fell apart after a great first round in the Indian Masters a few weeks ago and is a player that may be seen to better effect away from his home crowd. Get on Poulter to win that Matchbet at what is a great price at [2.08] and you will not be disappointed.

SSP Chowrasia revelled in the support of his home fans a few weeks ago yet many down the years have always struggled on home turf. My belief is that it's primarily the top players that struggle with this and they are always worth opposing in this situation. I suggest the pressure of playing for others and not just themselves in what is an individual sport just becomes too great. That theory may be more Frasier Crane than Sigmund Freud but I am sticking with it.

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