French Open Weekly Preview

Bookmakers make Lee Westwood the man to beat in France this week as the French Open takes centre stage on the European Tour. The Englishman is a best priced 7/1 (william hill) to claim the trophy. Westwood is a deserved favourite as he is the strongest golfer in the field and should be suited by the length and accuracy required off the tee. However, on a course that has thrown up some surprise winners, it might make sense to look at some players at bigger prices.

German Martin Kaymer is next in the market at 14/1 (general). Kaymer won this event in 2009, actually seeing off Westwood into second, and has three other top seven finishes here (including fourth last year). This is a course that suits Kaymer and he will prove hard to ignore, but Kaymer has not won an event this year and was a poor 71st last time out on a golf course (in the BMW International Open).

Englishman Justin Rose is third in the betting at 16/1 (general) and must merit consideration. Rose has finished top ten on four of his last five events, winning one of these (WGC Cadillac Championship). Rose has the game to suit the course and finished third here in 2003. Italian Francesco Molinari is an 18/1 (general) shot. Molinari is ultra-consistent with 11 top 30 finishes on the tour this year, with one of these being a victory. In addition he was runner-up here in 2010 and will certainly give you a run for your money.

Those looking for players at a slightly bigger price might be interested in Thorbjorn Olesen at 40/1 (general). The Danish player was 18th in the Irish Open a fourth top 20 finish in his last five starts. Olesen has previous at the French Open as well finishing runner up here (along with Mark Foster) to Frenchman Thomas Levet last year. Marcus Fraser is 80/1 (general) and this looks generous on a player in great form. Fraser finished second last time out when at the BMW International Open. The Australian has a third, a sixth and a fourteenth to his name in his last six starts and Fraser has a third to his name here in 2007.

Over on the PGA tour the action is at the Greenbrier Classic which is taking place for the third time. The favourite is Tiger Woods at 7/2 (general) who arrives on the back of a victory at the AT&T National. While no doubt Woods is the class act, he seems short enough in a field which is a stronger than last week and on a course he has never played a competitive round of golf at.

Next in the betting is Webb Simpson at 16/1 (general). Simpson, the US Open champion, finished in the top ten here last year and will obviously arrive in good heart. Others though might represent better value. Third in the betting is Dustin Johnson at 22/1 (general). Johnson won the FedEx St Jude Classic early in June but has struggled in the last two tournaments and may be worth swerving. Lefty Phil Mickelson is 22/1 (sportingbet) but he missed the cut here last time and does not look great value.

Those looking for value might want to consider Brendon De Jonge. The Zimbabwe born golfer is coming off a terrible Sunday at Congressional, but knows this course well having played here when studying at virgina Tech University. De Jonge has two top five finishes here and at 40/1 (bet365) could make ammends here.

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04/07/2012     © Frixo 2024