Madeira Island Open
This year the event does not coincide with the TPC, but still the event cannot attract many of Europe's elite golfers. They are in the US preparing for the Masters, though at least there are a couple of Ryder Cup hopefuls entered this week. Otherwise this is a very easily forgotten event, which is a pity as at long last the European Tour bandwagon rolls into Europe.
The course has been cited as one reason for the stay-aways - it is situated on the side of a rather steep mountain. Even the official European Tour site admits this is a "steeply undulating course" and it is not just the fairways that are steep, but also the greens. It may be very picturesque, to be perched 2,300 feet above sea level with spectacular views over the Atlantic, but the course is an acquired taste. Good course form is a necessity for this week's selections.
In that department there are none better than John Bickerton whose finishes here in the last four years read 13th, 15th, 4th, 5th. Being very accurate off the tee and with good greens in regulation stats, it is clear that it is that type of player will play well on this testing course. While he has struggled to capture the form of two years ago, he has been steadily improving all year to a season-high 21st at the Dubai Desert Classic and to have spared his swing the buffeting of the Qatar winds last week may well be a blessing in disguise. Capable of winning in such a poor field.
The second outright pick is David Howell who finished 3rd on his last visit here two years ago and was 20th two years before that. Recent form has been sporadic and he was quite well-placed after 36 holes last week, but he has a good all-round game to cope with this course and is one of only a very small number of multiple winners in this field.
The third choice is David Lynn who had an excellent two weeks in the Middle East. He closed strongly over the weekend to finish 20th in Dubai and was set for a top-10 finish in Qatar until e was blown off-track on Sunday. He still finished 17th though, his best finish of the season, so he should not be too frustrated coming into this event. With regard to course form, he was only four shots back in finishing 7th last year so he seems to have a reasonable measure of this course.
Outright plays:
John Bickerton to win 25/1 e.w. @
Sporting Odds
David Howell to win 33/1 e.w. @
Victor Chandler
David Lynn to win 40/1 e.w. @
Victor Chandler
