Open De Andalucia: Wild man Martin heads the day one bets

Three Ball Bets / Dan Geraghty / 14 March 2012 /

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No need to be like that, Pablo, we've just made you our top three-ball tip

"Pablo Martin is the only one of his threeball - Thorbjorn Olesen and Michael Campbell are the opponents - with tournament experience of Aloha (finished 25th in 2008)."

Dan Geraghty returns to European Tour fare for his weekly three-ball betting column with a trio of picks at the Open De Andalucia

Adam Scott gave the column a small profit last time out thanks to his first round exploits at the WGC Cadillac but after a spell in the States I'm heading back to Europe for this week's three-ball bets.

Headline tip is the man that started the rout against my matchplay selections a couple of weeks ago. I'm hoping Matteo Manassero's ([2.8]) comprehensive defeat of Webb Simpson can kick-start his season and spur him on to better things. He should find this relatively short course to his liking as its likely accuracy (his trump card) will be the order of the day. Matteo's partners on day one are Robert Rock and tournament promoter Miguel Angel Jimenez, whose golf game sometimes suffers in these situations. The young Italian will be reeling after not making it to Doral last week but can make up for it here.

Mike Weir has struggled badly with his game in recent years, often racking up big numbers along the way. I'm not sure a tight tree lined course in Europe is what he needs so I will take 2008 Aloha champion Thomas Levet [2.9] to beat both him and injury prone South African Richard Sterne on day one.

My third selection is a bit of a gamble and a two point gamble at that. Pablo Martin [3.6] is a wild golfer at times and he's had a torrid start to the year, shooting 90 in the third round of his first event and not faring much better since. However, his last round (at the Dubai Desert Classic) was a 69. It wasn't enough to make the cut but it offers a glimmer of hope nonetheless. He is the only one of his threeball - Thorbjorn Olesen and Michael Campbell are the opponents - with tournament experience of Aloha (finished 25th in 2008).

Perhaps home comforts can inspire the three time European tour winner once more; he is spending the week staying at his mother's house and says the Open De Andalucia is a tournament that excites him. Olesen is a worthy favourite but I am happy to take [3.6] about Martin, with Campbell unlikely to figure given his continued struggles.

Recommended First Round Three Ball Bets
1pt back Matteo Manassero @ [2.8]
1pt back Thomas Levet @ [2.9]
2pts back Pablo Martin @ [3.6]

Season Profit / Loss: -13.22 points

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