Volvo Golf Champions, Bahrain-2011

The 2nd leg of the Gulf Swing takes place for the first time at the Colin Montgomerie designed Royal GC Bahrain this week in the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions. With the past 2 weeks winners going to betting favourtism, one can be forgiven for looking at the market leaders again this week, and they are Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington, the Molinaris,and Robert Karlsson who won in the desert last year in the finale. I tipped Casey last week, he struggled on day 1 but got himself up the leaderboard over the 3 following rounds, aided by a hole in one on the Saturday, but he nor anyone else was ever going to reel in the impressive Martin Kaymer. The big question this week is, is he worth backing at 8/1. Its a relatively small field so perhaps he is, but for me it is still a bit skinny when considering Harrington & Poulter who are both available at 12/1 . The former will be bullish(or perhaps not, as his demeanour would suggest that he can never be "bullish") following his unfortunate disqualification last week, and with the course playing like a links course he may just be the man to have the extra incentive to do well here this week. I had considered Karlsson also but prefer to see him get a tournament under his belt this season before diving in. The Molinaris are always dangerous at the moment but with all golf betting, there has to be value betting somewhere in the field and this week it could very well lie with Seung Yul-Noh, who I have great admiration for. He played extremely well over the final 3 rounds last week also and his iron game could be ideal for this track where accuracy will be vital. He is available @ 33/1 (Boylesports). My ouside bet this week is Stephen Gallacher @ 90/1 (Betpack) who is great on links and may just be suited by the conditions this week.

I am also looking at the prospects of Michael Campbell this week. Cambo owes me nothing over the years from by betting and its sad to see the loss in form the past 3 years but recent outings suggest he is coming back to his best soon. 3 top 20 finishes in Australia in December/January plus solid golf last week in Abu Dhabi where he missed the cut by 1 shot. The feature of his game last week was the reduced amount of bogeys on his card and if he can gain the confidence with the new driver that he has been praising lately, I'm sure it will progress to his putting as well. He can be backed @ 300/1, but the advised bet would be to take him @ 25/1 for top 10 finish (Paddypower) or 14/1 for top 20 finish (Extrabet).

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w P.Harrington @ 12/1 (Paddypower): Great opening round last week....has had loads of practice since and is ideally suited to a course of this type. Most incentive to win this week following last week's unfortunate disqualification.

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w S.Y-Noh @ 33/1 (Boylesports); Up and coming future star of World Golf. Brilliant tee to gree and accuracy could be the answer this week. Odds are too good to pass over.

TIP 3 : .5 pts e/w S.Gallacher @ 90/1 (Paddypower): One of those who should be doing better with results on tour. Has the game to excel and will be suited by course type. Big odds must be taken here.

TIP 4: .5 pt M.Campbell TOP 10 Finish @ 25/1(Paddypower) and .5 pt TOP 20 Finish(Extrabet) : If he can post a good opening rd and get himself up the leaderboard, the confidence could carry him the weekend. Chance bet.