Volvo World Match Play Tips: Value hunting on day two

Golf Bets / Paul Krishnamurty / 29 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

Ross Fisher can get the better of Lee Westwood's conqueror - the injured Jeev Milkha Singh

"Singh pulled out of last week's Frys.com Open with a recurring ankle injury, because in his own words, he 'could barely walk'. Thanks to the weird new format being used for this year's World Matchplay, he's going to have to play a full 36 holes tomorrow and one has to think he could struggle in the afternoon session."

Paul Krishnamurty looks ahead to two potential group deciders where he's going for long term class over current form

Ross Fisher @ 2.2 (vs JM Singh)

Nobody could possibly have asked for a better opening day performance from Jeev Milkha Singh, who trounced pre-tournament favourite Lee Westwood by six holes. However, unless the Indian star has made a miraculous recovery from long-term injury worries over the last week, he's going to have his work cut out repeating the trick tomorrow.

Singh pulled out of last week's Frys.com Open with a recurring ankle injury, because in his own words, he 'could barely walk'. Thanks to the weird new format being used for this year's World Matchplay, he's going to have to play a full 36 holes tomorrow and one has to think he could struggle in the afternoon session.

Even without that serious disadvantage, Singh would have faced a tough challenge against Ross Fisher. This match looks likely to decide the fate of Group D, and on the balance of their 2009 form, particularly Fisher's run to the semis of the WGC Matchplay back in February, the Englishman would always have to start as favourite. Moreover, Fisher looked in pretty good nick himself when winning yesterday's high-quality opener against Camilo Villegas.

Angel Cabrera @ 2.0 (vs S Dyson)

After both of these players upset the odds on Thursday with surprisingly one-sided victories over classy opponents, this match looks like being another group decider. Marginal preference is for Angel Cabrera, whose five shot victory over Rory McIlroy represented a slightly higher standard than that of Dyson's three hole triumph over Henrik Stenson.

Without taking anything away from Dyson, he was pretty much handed victory on a plate after Stenson bogied the first four holes. Alternatively, Cabrera's victory owed more to his own brilliance down the back nine. The Argentinian has pedigree in this event, having reached the final when it was last held at Wentworth two years ago, and the reigning Masters champion looks a strong candidate once again.