European Tour Betting: Back a man who loves the course at the Abu Dhabi Championship

Golf Events / Tareq Quiroz / 20 January 2010 /

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Casey has twice won in Abu Dhabi and can do so again

"Despite his injury layoff Casey may well be less rusty than some of the other leading lights. He had to practice a lot over the winter to get his game back whilst others were taking that time off. At current odds of [18.5] he is the stand out bet of the week."

The Gulf Swing is underway on the European Tour in Abu Dhabi. TQ takes a look at the first big money event of the year

Charl Schwartzel has been making hay whilst the sun shines on the European Tour in his native South Africa. Back-to-back wins for the guy who I had just started to think was never going to get past the promising tag has grabbed the headlines so far this year. No disrespect to Charl but he faced nothing like the field that we have on show this week in Abu Dhabi.

Our man Schwartzel has pulled out of this week's event so we won't see a hat-trick of tournament wins on the bounce. However, it does lead me quite nicely into my main selection this week in Paul Casey. In a blockbusting field last year's champion is down as sixth favourite. This event has only been played four times but Casey already has two titles to his name and there are plenty of reasons why he will add a third.

Casey's 2009 was ruined by injury and he has taken a long time to get back in shape. It was great to see him at the SBS in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago and there were some very encouraging signs. That will have tuned him up nicely for this week and despite his injury layoff he may well be less rusty than some of the other leading lights. He had to practice a lot over the winter to get his game back whilst others were taking that time off. At current odds of [18.5] he is the stand out bet of the week.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Club is a terrific host venue and is already a favourite amongst the players. At just over 7,500 yards it suits the big hitters and with water in play on several holes you don't want to come here with a rusty long game.

If you are looking for someone a bit bigger than Casey then look no further than Robert Karlsson. Like my main selection, the giant Swede was badly affected by injury last year. After a career best 2008 the future was bright but an eye problem kept him out for much of the year. He is back on track now though and I fully expect him to make up for lost time in 2010. At odds of around [50.0] he is definitely worth serious consideration.

Despite the length of the track there is no reason to expect anything other than a birdie fest this week. Winning scores have ranged from 15- to 20-under par. The only defence of Abu Dhabi Golf Club is the wind and if you are betting in-running on the early rounds you need to keep it in mind. This is one of those places where the wind nearly always gets up in the afternoon so don't be surprised to see the best scores coming from the morning starters in the first couple of rounds.

The amazing strength in depth on the European Tour means that we have so many fantastic tournaments throughout the year. It also means that if you are having a punt there are some very big prices available on quality players. Simon Dyson has a chance of making the Ryder Cup team this year yet he is trading at odds of around [85.0] this week and definitely worth a saver. If we can keep this level of field up we are in for a cracking 2010 on the European Tour.

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