Outright plays (total stake per play: 1pt)
Soren Hansen to win 25/1 e.w. @ Sunderlands [6 places]
Doesn't have a great record in this part of Europe, but there is no sign of his form letting up. Since July, his finishes in Europe read: 2nd, 7th, 19th, 2nd, 3rd, mc, 1st, and 8th! He played well against Sabbatini in the first round last week and even though he lost to Mahan in the 2nd round, it should mean that he is not too tired coming into this event. I had been debating whether there was any in this price, but when Sunderlands' late offering included six places in a 126-man field, that enough value for me.
Miguel Angel Jimenez to win 30/1 e.w. @ Stan James
Missed the 33/1 (BetFred) that had been available earlier, but there's still enough value at this price especially he does have a very good record in South-Western Europe. He has won four times in Southern Spain and in his last appearance in Portugal (2004) he won the Algarve Open de Portugal with ease. He also has course experience, which is rare in this field, as he partnered Sergio Garcia in the 2005 World Cup at this venue. He has also looked impressive in his last two events, not just for finishing 4th and 15th, but ranking 3rd and 4th in greens in regulation in those weeks, which is as good as he has been all year. I'm confident he will be in contention over the weekend.
Alejandro Canizares to win 66/1 e.w. @ Victor Chandler
Backing Canizares as another local player who plays well in this region. Like Jimenez, he lives in Malaga, which is only 200 miles from this course and this year alone, his first full year on Tour, he has finishes of 11th, 18th and 2nd in Spain/Portugal. He finished 2nd last week in the Open de Madrid and looked for some time as though he would earn his second Tour title. I'd considered him last week and passed; I won't do this week when I'd expected odds of certainly no more than 50/1.
Soren Hansen to win 25/1 e.w. @ Sunderlands [6 places]
Doesn't have a great record in this part of Europe, but there is no sign of his form letting up. Since July, his finishes in Europe read: 2nd, 7th, 19th, 2nd, 3rd, mc, 1st, and 8th! He played well against Sabbatini in the first round last week and even though he lost to Mahan in the 2nd round, it should mean that he is not too tired coming into this event. I had been debating whether there was any in this price, but when Sunderlands' late offering included six places in a 126-man field, that enough value for me.
Miguel Angel Jimenez to win 30/1 e.w. @ Stan James
Missed the 33/1 (BetFred) that had been available earlier, but there's still enough value at this price especially he does have a very good record in South-Western Europe. He has won four times in Southern Spain and in his last appearance in Portugal (2004) he won the Algarve Open de Portugal with ease. He also has course experience, which is rare in this field, as he partnered Sergio Garcia in the 2005 World Cup at this venue. He has also looked impressive in his last two events, not just for finishing 4th and 15th, but ranking 3rd and 4th in greens in regulation in those weeks, which is as good as he has been all year. I'm confident he will be in contention over the weekend.
Alejandro Canizares to win 66/1 e.w. @ Victor Chandler
Backing Canizares as another local player who plays well in this region. Like Jimenez, he lives in Malaga, which is only 200 miles from this course and this year alone, his first full year on Tour, he has finishes of 11th, 18th and 2nd in Spain/Portugal. He finished 2nd last week in the Open de Madrid and looked for some time as though he would earn his second Tour title. I'd considered him last week and passed; I won't do this week when I'd expected odds of certainly no more than 50/1.
