The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 29 December 2009 /

The Punter highlights five players plying their trade in Europe who he'll be keeping on his side in 2010...

Some of the results during the 2009 Race to Dubai beggared belief and the first two players to win on the 2010 Race to Dubai, Pablo Martin and Richie Ramsay, both went off at triple figure prices. Trying to pick out five players who will win in 2010 could be tough and predicting when they will triumph is surely an exercise in futility, but I've given it a go.

One player whose chances I'm extremely confident about is Martin Kaymer. The amiable German has won four times in the last two years, is still improving and it now looks likely that he'll play the bulk of his schedule in Europe. "Maybe in two years time I will consider membership on the PGA Tour, but not next year, I still feel comfortable here. I play the big events on different types of courses. I feel that makes my game better. I can improve every week and I can learn."

He's not the greatest out of sand, but other than that, Kaymer's game doesn't have any weaknesses. I can see him improving even further next year and winning at least one title.

Best chance in 2010 - Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January.

Another player very much on the upgrade is Ross McGowan. His excellent second place behind Lee Westwood at the Dubai World Championship capped a quite superb second season on the European Tour. As well as that impressive performance, he also bagged his maiden win at the Madrid Masters in 2009.

He's a very accurate player who seems best suited to low scoring courses - he shot 60 during his success in Spain. I backed him in the final event of the year in South Africa, where he was very disappointing, missing the cut, despite starting day two with five straight birdies! It was an odd performance which I'm going to completely disregard.

When low scoring is the order of the week, Ross could just be your man.

Best chance in 2010 - European Masters in September.

Nobody finished 2009 better than Robert Allenby, he won the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa, then the following week popped home and claimed the Australian PGA title. Allenby was a full-time European Tour member in the early 90's, winning four times in three years, and it's been reported that he's going to concentrate his efforts this side of the Atlantic this year.

He's struggled to win in America lately but I can see him enjoying a bit of a renaissance back in Europe and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him winning. With a low ball flight, he's a truly magnificent wind player and in an event where the wind gets up and the going gets particularly tough this wily veteran may well oblige.

Best chance in 2010 - The Irish Open in late July.

At 32 Simon Dyson could just be at the peak of his powers. He won twice last year and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he manages at least another one this time. I couldn't have been more impressed by the way he held the field at bay at St Andrews to take the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. It was a far cry from the bottle job that struggled in the mix and once threw away a six shot third round lead at the 2004 BMW Asian Open.

He's looking to play more in the States this year but his main focus will in all likelihood still be the Race to Dubai. Dyson plays well fresh and has an abundance of experience in Asia, so if he pops up there after a few weeks off take note.

Best chance in 2010 - The Volvo China Open (date to be confirmed).

I'm also going to stick my neck out with a player from far leftfield in Marcel Siem. The tall, wispy German turns 30 in July and it's about time he added to his sole win - the 2004 Dunhill Championship.

He had a slow start to 2009 but finished the year well. He's never been an accurate driver, in fact he's woefully inaccurate at times, but he has improved. In fact, according to his stats, almost every aspect of his game improved last year. I like his attitude and I can just see him sneaking one, probably on a course with plenty of par fives, where he can make maximum use of his length off the tee.

Best chance in 2010 - Johnnie Walker Championship in August.

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