BMW PGA Championship 2010

The Europeantour cranks up a gear this week with the best line-up of the year apart from the Open. The newly revamped West Course means oustpoken Padraig Harrington tees it up this year having sidestepped the event the past few years due to "awful greens" as well as one or two other players. Sadly, Retief Goosen has had to remain on the injured list but his compatriots are sure to go well this week, indeed, its Ernie Els that all the attention will be on as it he who was given the task to redesign the course! "The Big Easy" loves Wentworth, multiple matchplay winner here, he is playing very well and had another strong finish last week in Texas, but its the attention regarding his involvement in the course that makes me want to leave him out of my selection process this week.
They say "beware the injured golfer!" and there are a number teeing it up with firm prospects of succeeding come Sunday afternoon. Padraig himself will take to surgery next Tuesday for a "small procedure" on his right knee before returning for the St Jude as a warm up for the US Open so he may just test himself to see how he can challenge come weekend, but given his feelings towards Wentworth the past few years he may just come up short, and its the tournament winner I am looking for this week. Ian Poulter is also suffering with his neck and one I was considering for the event, and Paul Casey, defending champ, likewise is returning from injury so again I will opt to leave them be.Luke Donald is a player in excellent form and his rare appearance back in Europe may become memorable. His game is well suited to this course and he could be the champion, and he is one of my two main selections this week at 25/1.
My main selection therefore is Martin Kaymer, for me the best young player on the European Tour at present and this course is right up his alley, with some fine performances the past couple of years also at this tournament. He hasn't done too well in the US, but seems to excel back in Europe and the 20/1 on offer is a great price.
Of the favourites, Lee Westwood is being branded a choker on some blogs, and although I disagree with that tag, the thoughts will surely start to enter his mind and at 11/1 to prevail I dont think these are value odds for such a class field, same of Rory McIlroy, the sensational victory at Quail Hollow has put a bit a pressure on him but also given him renewed confidence and although I fancy the Ultserman to go well, 12/1 is not great value.
Local pro, Ross Fisher came so close to winning this last year, I would love to see him win this week, but his odds are too skinny for a man looking to kick start his season. He will be happy to be at home while he plays this week and I'm sure he will be targeting a top 10 finish himself and he has a great advantage of playing the opening two rounds with Els & Rhys Davies, 2 players that will be steady enough so he can gauge his own game against.
My 3rd selection this week is to have a small interest in a top 20 finish @ 20/1 on Jeppe Huldahl, who does tend to go well in the occassional event and can surprise this weekend in a tournament that either produces a shock winner or favourite winner. He has had some decent enough showings already this year, albeit in weaker fields, but he is improving and can sneak a top 20 finish.

Bank Balance after Iberdrola Open + 94.37 pts

BMW PGA Championship Selections:

1 pt e/w M.Kaymer @ 20/1 (Betpack.com)
1 pt e/w L.Donald @ 25/1 (Betpack.com)
1 pt Top 20 finish Jeppe Huldahl @ 20/1 (Paddy Power)