Golf Bets / Paul Krishnamurty / 17 February 2010 /

An ultra-attacking Spaniard, a course specialist and an in-form outsider are among Paul Krishnamurty's picks for the first round at the WGC Accenture Matchplay.

Alvaro Quiros: 10pts @ [1.75] (vs Mike Weir)
Starting Time: 16.29

On the basis of an extremely disappointing performance over the weekend, Mike Weir looks a man to oppose. His previous record at Pebble Beach was second to none, yet despite a strong start he faded badly, struggling with both his long and short game to finish outside the top-50.

Huge-hitting Alvaro Quiros has, in contrast, been in great form, challenging strongly for all three Gulf Swing events amongst elite company. His ultra-attacking game could prove ideal for matchplay, and the Spaniard will certainly gain a significant psychological advantage in terms of driving distance in this match.

David Toms: 10pts @ [2.38] (vs Sergio Garcia)
Starting Time: 17.14

It's hard to imagine backing Sergio Garcia with confidence at any price right now, let alone at odds-on against a tournament specialist. Sunday's 77 completed a third disappointing weekend out of three 2010 appearances, showing no improvement on last year's frustrating efforts. Quite simply, you can't win tournaments without being able to putt, and a weakness on the greens is particularly costly in matchplay. Whatever Sergio's heroics in Ryder Cup pairs formats, he has a dire career record in singles, and has never made the quarter-finals in eight cracks at this event.

All of that must make David Toms an outstanding value bet at [2.38] for their first round match. He won this event in 2005, finished runner-up to Tiger in 2003, and boasts an extremely impressive tally of 23 wins from 31 matches.

Edoardo Molinari: 5pts @ [2.8] (vs Stewart Cink)
Starting Time: 17.41

Backing the outsider in these first-round matches has proved a profitable strategy over the years, so a pairing such as this one where the outsider boasts superior recent form particularly takes the eye. Edoardo Molinari is one of the hottest golfers around over the past six months, winning four events including the World Cup alongside his brother. Fourth in elite company last time out in Dubai confirms he retains that high level of form.

Granted, this is a stiff task on his US debut against the reigning Open champion, who loves matchplay and has finished second and third here in the past two years. However, Cink hasn't challenged seriously anywhere over the last six months, and if Molinari gets his usually hot putter working on these Arizona greens early on, he'll take some stopping.

Chris Wood: 3pts @ [3.4] (vs Lee Westwood)
Starting Time: 19.20

Working on the sound assumption that 18-hole matchplay is the greatest leveller in golf, Chris Wood might represent a bit of value against Lee Westwood. For while Lee would contend for the title of 'best golfer around' right now, his record in this event is poor. He's won only five matches out of 14 since the tournament's inception in 1999, and never gone beyond the second round.

Of course Westwood's recent form would suggest an improvement on that, but he can't take anything for granted against Wood, who sneaked into this elite affair after the withdrawal of Tiger Woods. The world no.65 is clearly a fine prospect, as places in the last two British Open illustrate, and he's in solid form having made the top-20 in all three Gulf Swing events.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: