Nordea Masters - 2013

 A somewhat surprising conclusion to the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday eventually produced a popular winner in Matteo Mannesero, who was on my shortlist but omitted from the final staking plan (AGAIN!!).  Alex Noren was tipped to go well at Wentworth but never got into it and had to settle for T32nd in the end. I am a little surprised that he heads the betting for this week's event in his homeland for the Nordea Masters, but perhaps thats on the back of the fact that it is in Sweden and that he shot that stunning 63, 2 years ago in the 3rd round to open up an 11 shot lead going into Sunday. No doubting the course form is there, I like Alex a lot, but I cannot back him this week at 16s.With the US Open fast approaching, Alex has not qualified and missed out at Walton Heath by a couple of shots so there is a little bit of pressure to go well here. I just fancy a couple of others at better prices who could get the job done in what is a fairly decent field, albeit a competitive one at least. (Alex is now free from my shackles to go and win!)

Jamie Donaldson heads my selections this week. He has decent form at Bro Hof  Slott GC, with 22-10-8 the results over the last 3 years. The reigning Irish Open champion will be keen to hone his game before heading back Stateside for the US Open in a couple of weeks before jetting back to defend his title at Carton House. Bro Hof suits his game as his results show and with the American adventure on hold for the time being, a European  event maybe just what he needs to kick start his season again. He's simply too big at 50/1 with Paddypower

My second selection is Paul Casey @ 50/1 with Betpack. Paul has been showing signs lately that he is about to put together a challenge for one of these events and on the back of qualifying at Walton Heath for The US Open, he will head to Sweden in confident mood following a missed cut at Wentworth. 2 TOP 20s and a TOP 10 in China make up for that this season and I'd like to be on him at 50s when he does click and he wont fear anyone this week. A good performance here will end any memories of his dislocated shoulder injury as he continues to make his comeback.

The third pick is Mikko Ilonen, who has been in excellent form of late and arrives at this one at the right time because of it. A former winner of this event (1 of his 2 wins), when known as The Scandanavian Masters in 2007, the Finn has backed up his event form by finishing T3rd last year on this course. His 2013 form is excellent with cuts made in 6/9 events, including 3 TOP 10s. He has also backed these up with a further 2 TOP20s including 12th at Wentworth. He took one shot too many at Walton Heath to miss out on the playoff, so he will be all out to win here if he wants to get to Merion. Former winner, in excellent current and course form, the 40/1 with is again too big to ignore.

I'm also having a small stake on Swedish player Kristoffer Broberg who seems to have gone quiet since joining the big boys on tour. No doubting his talent, this event may be just what he needs to get some confidence and form back. Has 2 TOP30s to his credit here when playing on the Challenge Tour so knows how to get around this place and I'm drawn to the 140/1 with Bet365.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w J.Donaldson @ 50/1 Paddypower

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w P.Casey @ 50/1 Betpack

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w M.Ilonen @ 40/1

TIP 4: 0.5 pts e/w K.Broberg @ 140/1 Bet365