General / Tareq Quiroz / 14 May 2008 /

As far as TQ is concerned, Padraig Harrington will take some beating in this week's Irish Open. Find out why, and check up on his tournament match bet tip.

After the hullabaloo of last week's Players Championship, we can take ourselves off to the relative calm of the Emerald Isle for this week's Irish Open. The Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort is the host venue for the second successive year in what promises to be a cracking renewal of last year's dramatic event.

Padraig Harrington was the toast of Ireland last year as he overcame Bradley Dredge in a play-off. It was a fitting end to what had been a hard fought tournament. The Robert Trent-Jones course served up a real test for Europe's best players and only three of the field managed to finish the event under par. The event was blighted by strong winds last year and although the weather will be better this year don't expect a birdie frenzy.

A decent field has lined-up for this event, and there will be a host of big names chasing the coveted title. None of them, though, will be as big as last year's champion. Try as I may (and I have tried!) I just can't get away from Harrington as by far and away the most likely winner again this year. If you are going to back a pre-tournament favourite then I recommend doing so before the start of the event. The chances are that if Harrington is going to contend for this title then it won't be from much off the pace and thus you will never see a price drift.

Padraig has a terrific record in the Irish Open and is clearly very keen to take his own National championship. A winner on the only tour event on this course he can also boast a pro-am victory on this track in 2005. He has drawn a favourable early tee-time and I fully expect Harrington to be at or near the top of the leaderboard for all four days. At current odds of around [8.8] it is the must bet of the week.

This is not a tournament that I see being won by a rank outsider and as such I highly recommend sticking to the top dozen in the betting. Of those the one that makes most appeal as my saver bet is Jeev Milkha Singh. This two time tour winner has a couple of second place finishes to his name already this season and also put up a good show at the Masters. He has got a nice early tee-time and I can see him getting off to a flying start. Get on him at current odds of [55.0] and you will not be disappointed.

The Tournament Match Bets are often the best source of value for golf events and this week is no different. I am tempted by a few of the matches thrown up but there is one that stands out from the rest. You should look no further than Philip Archer to beat Ross McGowan. McGowan has the odd half decent tournament but he certainly doesn't have the potential or consistency of Archer. I can see no good reason for Archer to be as big as [1.92] and this really is a must bet.

After last week's superb win there is no sign of Sergio Garcia as no doubt he is basking in the glory of a fantastic win. Sandy Lyle was the last European to win the Players Championship some twenty one years ago. Could it be that that golden age of European golf is about to return? What is certain is that things are changing and I firmly believe we will have another Major winner from Europe this year.....maybe more!

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