In inaugural event and on a course last used for a European Tour event eight years ago, it is difficult to predict anything for this one. The Island course at Singapore Island Country Club was the setting for the Singapore Open two months ago and here it was the long-hitters who prospered in the Davidoff Tour event. This week, the Bukit course will play host and it is much tighter. Accuracy is the key this week and this could be no more exemplified by the top-two eight years ago: Faldo won by a shot from Monty in the Johnnie Walker Classic.
Judging by that result and the last time the Johnnie Walker Classic came to Singapore (1996), it does not appear that the Europeans are particularly disadvantaged by the climate and the course conditions that greet them in Singapore: In 1996, Ian Woosnam needed a playoff to beat Andrew Coltart and the Omega Tour contributed just one player to the top-20. As a result, the three picks this week are all Europeans: Padraig Harrington, Gary Orr and Andrew Coltart.
Two events and two impressive performances for Harrington so far this year. He continued his run of excellent finishes in Malaysia last week when edged out on the 3rd hole of a playoff by a very popular opponent. Noted as being one who travels well, he looks to be the better value of the triumvirate of Monty, Singh and Harrington and at double-figure is just enough to take the safe e/w option.
Just as Harrington may have been rusty and it didn't show last week, the same is expected of Gary Orr. His driving accuracy stats are matched only by Richard Green and his greens in regulation stats better those of everyone else in the field. On a tight course, provided he can once again start the new season without any sign of rustiness, he could push Monty and Vijay just as strong as Harrington.
The 3rd choice is Andrew Coltart whose only start apart from the WGC Matchplay was at the Dimension Data pro-am. He is a regular competitor in the Southern Hemisphere, having won the 1998 Australasian Tour Order of Merit and having competed in the Malaysian Open and Johnnie Walker Classics in virtually every year. As noted above, the lost the 1996 Johnnie Walker Classic by a playoff and other notable finishes in Asia include 4th at the 1998 Classic in Thailand and 4th in the 1999 Malaysian Open. Another good greens in regulation player, he should figure highly among the leading Europeans.
Outright plays:
Padraig Harrington to win 10/1 e.w. @
Easybets
Gary Orr to win 25/1 e.w. @
Surrey or
Victor Chandler
Andrew Coltart to win 33/1 e.w. @
Surrey