Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
Golf’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles is mostly dominated by the scramble – or lack of it – by some players for Ryder Cup qualification.
Click here for the latest Betfair odds on the field
Miguel Angel Jimenez has given up a place at his nephew’s wedding to be one late entrant – and is currently 23/1 with Betfair to substitute cake and speeches for success.
But as always, there is some serious prize money and titles to play for as well as those Ryder Cup points. We like one favourite and one outsider, read on to find out who!
16/1 Ross Fisher (VC Bet), 18/1 Fransesco Molinari (Stan James), 19/1 Robert Karlsson (Betfair), 20/1 Peter Hanson (Stan James), 22/1 Edoardo Molinai (BWin), 25/1 Miguel Angel Jimenez (Paddy Power), Alvaro Quiros (Betfred), 27/1 Simon Dyson (BWin)
This looks a typically open event, and it’s worth taking a moment to focus on those players who are on the fringes of the Ryder Cup. Some of them seemd to cope well with the pressure – Peter Hanson obviously by taking the Czech Open, while Simon Dyson worked hard to put himself in contentionn. Miguel Angel Jimenez is certainly not short on motivation (and probably cigars).
Fransesco Molinari must have a great chance. He’s in good form and likes Gleneagles and just has enough pressure on his Ryder Cup place to encourage him to produce a decent finish. Peter Hanson must be respected too after showing good mental strength to win the Czech Open with so much at stake. Ross McGowan, Simon Dyson and Alvaro Quiros all need to win to try and make the Ryder Cup team, though McGowan might just get thee with a second and some help That might just get to them a little too much.
Of the outsiders, Soren Hansen is worth examination – he has a great record round the Scottish course, and although he’s done little this year, he might be worth a look for that reason alone at a good price. Stephen Gallacher is in form too.
Defending Champion Peter Hedblom is 80/1
Sportnewsbase picks: Francesco Molinari at 18/1 with Stan James, Soren Hansen at 40/1 with Totesport – both sites offer £25 free bets, so why not try them out?