Poulter the headline selection in Turkey

The Colin Montgomerie Maxx Royal Course at Belek, Antalya is the venue for the inaugural staging of The Turkish Airlines Open. The field is top quality with Rory McIlroy perhaps the biggest name absence though his replacement is not bad, a certain Tiger Woods. Woods is the 9/2 (general) favourite and of course the best golfer in the field has to be respected. I will swerve the American though as I think this course is more likely to suit the Europeans with the heavy tree-line features. Golfer Chris Wood recently give a few clues to the play of the course when suggesting it reminded him in some regards of one of the Spanish venues, perhaps Valderrama.

The duo that appeal most are English pair Justin Rose and Ian Poulter with the former available at 11/1 (BETVICTOR/paddy Power) and the latter a 16/1 (GENERAL) shot. Rose has got a few ticks to his name having won in Valderrama and has won in Turkey. Throw in a fifth placed finish last time on a golf course and Rose is one to be respected.At slightly bigger prices though I like the chances of Ian Poulter. The Englishman finished second to our headline selection Dustin Johnson last weekend and did not do a lot wrong. The tree-lined Colin Montgomerie course should suit his game and he is the headline selection.

Those looking for a player at a bigger price might be interested in Miguel Angel Jimenez as we talked before about the course was similar to some of those in Spain. The Spanish veteran has a good record at tree-lined courses finishing fourth at both Wentworth and Firestone and is available at 100/1 (bet365/TOTESPORT/betfred) which looks too big.

Over in the US The McGladrey Classic is the feature event this weekend with the pretty Seaside Course from Sea Island, Georgia the home of the Tournament.

The tournament is one of the few links style courses in the US so has a tendency to throw up some unusual winners with Tommy Gainey (12), Ben Craine (11) and Heath Slocum (10) having already secured the title so do not be afraid to punt at some players at bigger prices. Webb Simpson is the deserved favourite at 10/1 (GENERAL) and the American has a good record here finishing tied 12th in 2010 before losing in a playoff in 2011. Simpson is also in good form having won at Shriners last time out so I can put nobody off backing him. Two others expected to go well are Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson who are both available at 14/1 (GENERAL). Kuchar has two top 25 finishes here and is a resident of these parts so should know the course better than most. Johnson meanwhile is a player with seven top ten finishes from his last nine starts and is another Georgian native.

I like the look of Charles Howell III at odds of 28/1 (GENERAL) as he looks to continue a strong start to the season that has seen him tied for fifth at Shriners and tied for seventh in the CIMB. Howell has two top ten finishes here including a tied seventh in 2012. At bigger prices consider an each-way in David Toms at 55/1 (bet365/paddy Power). Toms was runner-up here in 2012 and also tied for third in 2010 so clearly likes the course. His recent form is decent also with with three straight top twenty finishes at the end of 2013.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Ian Poulter, EW, Turkish Airlines Open, 16/1 (GENERAL)
SILVER:Charles Howell III, EW, 28/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Miguel Angel-Jimenez, EW, Turkish Airlines Open, 100/1 (bet365/TOTESPORT/betfred) David Toms, EW, The McGladrey Classic, 55/1 (bet365/paddy power

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06/11/2013     © Frixo 2024