Volvo World Match Play Championship

[Stanley]

Wednesday play (2pts):

Jamie Donaldson to beat Paul Casey +125 available generally
I'll certainly back Donaldson to continue his Ryder Cup form at these odds. He was very impressive that week, but as a player now in the top-25 of the World Rankings, he has been performing at that level for some time. Casey does have a great matchplay pedigree, but that is mostly some time ago and he doesn't have any course experience. Donaldson did play in the 2008 and 2009 European Opens on this course, finishing in the top-10 in 2008 and was inside the top-10 after three rounds the following year, so this is clearly a course that suits his game and I am surprised to see him as an underdog with so many firms.

 

[Stanley]

Thursday play (2pts):

Patrick Reed to beat Paul Casey +145 @ 5Dimes [available generally]
Casey edged out Donaldson in the first round in a low-scoring match, but I'll still oppose him at these odds. Reed lost his first match, but as the only American and the subject of a pre-tournament ceremony mocking (referring to his 'shush' gesture to the crowd in the Ryder Cup), a subdued first day could have been expected. He needs to win tomorrow and confident that he will improve on his 2-under-par score today. Difficult to ignore at these odds (with the tie losing).

 

[Stanley]

Friday play (2pts):

Jamie Donaldson to beat Patrick Reed -106 @ Pinnacle [available generally]
The final series of matches in the group stage and all four players in the McCormack pool have won one game, so I'll concentrate on this group again. Both players were 5-under-par in winning their games today, but it is home advantage to the Welshman and I think that will earn him a place in the quarter-finals: this event in played on a course previously used the European Tour (and Donaldson has done well here previously), Donaldson does have the much better form heading into this event - his last three finishes have been 1st-7th-4th, whereas Reed's have been mdf-53rd-9th - and he has much more experience of matchplay than his opponent. Opting for the 'ties push' option this time, the Welshman is the play here.