Outright plays (1.5pts):
Cristie Kerr to win 16/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power
Large odds for a form player in a field without Sorenstam and Pak. Grace Park does not win enough to justify her short odds, but Kerr should certainly be a strong contender. She has finished in the top-5 in two of four starts and finished 2nd on this course last year, plus 3rd when this event was played at Kona Country Club in 2001. This should be one of the best chances of the year for an American victory on this Tour.
Michele Redman to win 28/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power
But for an opening 74 in the three-round event last year, Redman would have stood a good chance of winning the title. She finished seven shots behind Candie Kung, but trailed her by seven after the opening round. She has been very consistent with top-25 finishes in all four starts this year and this is the weakest field this year by some distance. Buoyed by her weekend performance last year, she should be in contention for a top-5 finish this year.
Catriona Matthew to win 28/1 e.w. @ Stan James and BetInternet
Matthew will not be buoyed by her weekend performance last year - she held the lead for the first two rounds, but faded to finish 6th after a final round 74. She did that too many times last year, but at least she was getting herself into strong positions with one round to play. She has started this year in similar strong fashion with 5th and 6th place finishes in the last two Tour events against very strong fields (one was a major) and should be counted upon to at least feature this week.
Cristie Kerr to win 16/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power
Large odds for a form player in a field without Sorenstam and Pak. Grace Park does not win enough to justify her short odds, but Kerr should certainly be a strong contender. She has finished in the top-5 in two of four starts and finished 2nd on this course last year, plus 3rd when this event was played at Kona Country Club in 2001. This should be one of the best chances of the year for an American victory on this Tour.
Michele Redman to win 28/1 e.w. @ Paddy Power
But for an opening 74 in the three-round event last year, Redman would have stood a good chance of winning the title. She finished seven shots behind Candie Kung, but trailed her by seven after the opening round. She has been very consistent with top-25 finishes in all four starts this year and this is the weakest field this year by some distance. Buoyed by her weekend performance last year, she should be in contention for a top-5 finish this year.
Catriona Matthew to win 28/1 e.w. @ Stan James and BetInternet
Matthew will not be buoyed by her weekend performance last year - she held the lead for the first two rounds, but faded to finish 6th after a final round 74. She did that too many times last year, but at least she was getting herself into strong positions with one round to play. She has started this year in similar strong fashion with 5th and 6th place finishes in the last two Tour events against very strong fields (one was a major) and should be counted upon to at least feature this week.
