Outright plays (1pt):
Markus Brier to win 25/1 e.w. @ SkyBet, Sportingbet, Sporting Odds, Victor Chandler and BlueSq
In the best form of any player in this field following two top-20 finishes in the last two weeks and crucially he does have good course experience. He played last year and finished 21st, but also managed a 5th place finish on this course on his previous visit in 1999. Would expect the same again.
Jean-Francois Lucquin to win 40/1 e.w. @ Bet365
Lucquin is another with good course experience, having finished 8th on his last appearance in 2002. He was in the middle of a six-month spell in which he had seven top-10 finishes in 13 starts on the European Challenge Tour, including a win and two top-5 finishes in two starts on the main European Tour. He struggled in 2003, but there were indications earlier in the summer that he was returning to his previous form and this represents a good chance for him to secure his Tour card for next year. He is certainly a good enough player for this Tour.
Ross Fisher to win 80/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power
Whether Fisher is good enough or not remains to be seen, but the young Wentworth pro has made an impressive start in his two appearances on Tour. He shot every round under par to finish 15th in the Scandinavian Masters two weeks ago and was set for another high finish, lying 17th after three rounds last week, but fell back on Sunday. These were on courses that he had never played before, so if can maintain this level of play, his lack of course knowledge at Moscow may not be such a handicap. Worth a punt at this price.
Markus Brier to win 25/1 e.w. @ SkyBet, Sportingbet, Sporting Odds, Victor Chandler and BlueSq
In the best form of any player in this field following two top-20 finishes in the last two weeks and crucially he does have good course experience. He played last year and finished 21st, but also managed a 5th place finish on this course on his previous visit in 1999. Would expect the same again.
Jean-Francois Lucquin to win 40/1 e.w. @ Bet365
Lucquin is another with good course experience, having finished 8th on his last appearance in 2002. He was in the middle of a six-month spell in which he had seven top-10 finishes in 13 starts on the European Challenge Tour, including a win and two top-5 finishes in two starts on the main European Tour. He struggled in 2003, but there were indications earlier in the summer that he was returning to his previous form and this represents a good chance for him to secure his Tour card for next year. He is certainly a good enough player for this Tour.
Ross Fisher to win 80/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power
Whether Fisher is good enough or not remains to be seen, but the young Wentworth pro has made an impressive start in his two appearances on Tour. He shot every round under par to finish 15th in the Scandinavian Masters two weeks ago and was set for another high finish, lying 17th after three rounds last week, but fell back on Sunday. These were on courses that he had never played before, so if can maintain this level of play, his lack of course knowledge at Moscow may not be such a handicap. Worth a punt at this price.
