The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 04 June 2008 /

He's rooted round the Austrian Open odds and the St Jude Championship betting for this week's selections, read The Punter's golf bets here

There's very little strength in depth to this week's European Tour event, the Austria Open and as a result the usual suspects towards the head of the market seem very short.

And that's especially so when you consider a few of them also played in the US Open qualifier at Walton Heath on Monday, contended for last week's title, drove from Wales to Surrey, played two rounds of fruitless golf, and then travelled on to Austria. Yep, it's fair to say that players like Edoardo Molinari and JM Singh have not had the preparation they would have liked.

So, after some digging I think I've found a little value in the shape of Graeme Storm @ [44.0]. He hasn't been in scintillating form since his lofty sixth place in the CA Championship at Doral and he missed the cut at The Memorial last week in quite spectacular fashion. On the plus side he was still level after nine holes! I think he'll benefit for a return to Europe and in particular to a course where he boasts three top tens in as many visits. He opened up last year with a very fine opening round of 63. Admittedly he slipped slowly down the field after day one and finished up in a tie for seventh but he was still a maiden then. He subsequently won the Open de France and I'd wager if he opens up with a 63 this year he'd have the belief to fare better than last year.

Second up is Rafa Echenique @ [75.0]. This young Argentinean is a wayward driver but a very hot putter. Coming off a decent tied fourth last week and not having had the hassle of Walton Heath, if he can improve on his driving stats slightly he could be a bit of value in a very weak event.

At the same price I've taken a chance on veteran Paul Broadhurst. His first round 75 put him out of the event last year but rounds of 67, 68 and 69 followed as he accustomed himself with the course and he's another whose putter can get can get very hot. He's worth a small punt @ [75.0].

My last selection is almost obligatory. I backed Marcus Brier at a decent price when he won this event two years ago and whilst he's on the short side I just couldn't leave him out and have backed him @ [24.0]. Not only was he a cosy winner two years ago but he veritably hacked up here in 2004 when it was a Challenge Tour event, winning by a very impressive eight shots in a whopping 23 under par total.

Selections:

Markus Brier @ [24.0]
Graeme Storm @ [44.0]
Rafa Echenique @ [75.0]
Paul Broadhurst @ [75.0]

From one utterly obvious pick to another and first up at the St Jude Championship is David Toms. In common with Brier, Toms is a duel winner of this week's event and has some startling form figures at the venue, TPC Southwind. Again, he's not a massive price, backed @ [23.0] but he's shown glimpses of form this year and if his dodgy back holds out all week he may well contend here yet again.
In addition to Toms I've backed Steve Lowery @ [85.0]. Already a winner this year at the AT & T win he pipped VJ Singh, he went under the radar without any attention last week when he finished a very decent tied sixth. He also has a decent bank of form here and is a worth a punt at the price.

Finally, I've also backed Richard S Johnson at a heady [510.0]. He hasn't got close to the top of a leaderboard since losing a play off to Tim Herron in the 2006 Colonial and isn't in great form right now but he has shown up here a couple of times in the past.

Selections:

David Toms @ [23.0]
Steve Lowery @ [85.0]
Richard S Johnson @ [510.0]

I'll post an update at the halfway stage for both tournaments on Saturday morning.

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