Betting Update; Open de Espana with the bookmakers making Fernandez-Castano their 16/1 favourite

Added: (Wed Apr 29 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - OPEN DE ESPANA

WHERE: PGA Golf de Catalunya, Girona, Spain.

COURSE CHARACTERISTICS: The Pyrenees provide a stunning backdrop to this layout which has been built on a site that had originally been earmarked for a Formula One Grand Prix track. It carves its way through a swell of pines, Spanish oaks and olive trees in a 650-acre valley nestling at the foot of the famous mountain range. Although the trees line the fairways it is not a tight course and some of the tees are elevated so players will be hitting downhill while the sixth is the only uphill tee shot. Therefore, accuracy could be a vital requirement, especially as the rough can be punishing, while water comes into play at five holes. The greens are pretty well guarded but are not great big undulating ones as they were designed for subtlety and have small ridges and breaks which makes for a very testing putting challenge. The par three 16th could be the most interesting hole as it has to be approached from across a valley so that anything coming up short will roll back into it where bunkers are lurking to catch the ball.

THE MAIN MEN

GONZALO FERNANEZ-CASTANO: No record to speak of in his national championship having yet to break into the top-40 but he’s in the form of his life at the moment having not missed a cut this season and is currently seventh in the Race To Dubai table thanks mainly to his most recent results which have seen him post three consecutive runner-up finishes. Nearly collected the fifth title of his career when narrowly beaten by Thongchai Jaidee in a three-way play-off for the Ballantine’s Championship last week and that followed seconds in China and another play-off loss in Portugal. Was five shots off the lead at the start of the fourth round in Korea on Sunday but a three-under 69, which included four birdies and an eagle at the fourth, pushed him to the top of the leaderboard and forced extra time. Produced the goods on the greens there as he was fifth and sixth in the putting stats, however, he couldn’t quite close the deal but he will be keen to win on home soil and break the run of near misses. BEST PRICE: 16-1

FRANCESCO MOLINARI: Last played in this event three years ago when finishing a highly creditable tied 16th with four sub-par rounds when the event was played at San Roque. The Italian has also been in pretty good form over the last few months with his nine most recent starts yielding four top-10s including a second in the Hong Kong Open in November. After finishing 10th on his first start of 2009 in the Abu Dhabi Championship he had a bit of lull but he’s returned to form in no uncertain manner in the last couple of months. He’s 27-under par for his three most recent starts and arrives in Spain on the back of a two consecutive thirds, the latest being in the Open de Estoril in Portugal. Came home strongly in that tournament with four birdies to post a three-under par 68 and move up from 11th position, while his tee to green play was excellent with top-10s for driving accuracy and GIR. Will be keen to maintain that level of form with his home championship coming up next week in Torino. BEST PRICE: 20-1

SOREN KJELDSEN: Hasn’t broken into the top-20 in the Open de Espana but has only gone over par twice since the beginning of the century and one of those was at this week’s venue when he missed the cut, although that was in 2000 and he’s a far better player now. Ended 2008 in the best possible fashion by capturing the Volvo Masters but struggled to find his touch again until arriving in Miami for the WGC-CA Championship at Doral where he produced a strong showing to finish seventh in that hugely-competitive event. That proved to be just the tonic the Dane needed as he returned to Europe and on his way to landing the Andalucian Open by three shots he broke the course record at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla in the third round when carding a 62. Missed the cut in the US Masters subsequently but this drop in class should find him back among the leading contenders. BEST PRICE: 20-1

ALVARO QUIROS: The big-hitting Spaniard has a lot of improvement to do in his national championship as he has only just made it into the top-40 on two occasions but has also missed the cut twice. Produced some decent performances during the autumn and winter of 2008 with wins in the Portugal Masters, where he took the lead in the third round after firing a 64, and a 10th in the tough HSBC Champions tournament. After blowing away the cobwebs with a season-opening 26th in Abu Dhabi he romped away with the Qatar Masters when facing one of the strongest fields assembled for that event. The win there elevated him into the top-30 in the world rankings and sent off to Florida for the WGC-CA Championship in a happy frame of mind. He caught the eye with middle rounds of 64 and 69 as he made his way to a highly respectable 13th place finish and although he has failed to trouble the judges in three subsequent outings, including a missed cut at Augusta, the return to Europe and home could see him high up on the leaderboard come Sunday. BEST PRICE: 29-1

DANNY WILLETT: The young Yorkshireman is one of the brightest prospects around having had a very successful amateur career which saw reach the top of the world rankings in 2007. He was still in the unpaid ranks when he made an eyecatching debut in this tournament last year when he tied for 10th and was sixth for driving distance and eighth for putts per round. Has experience of this week’s venue having finished fourth there in November when competing in the final stage of the six-round European Qualifying School. Has secured three top-10s already this year, two of which came in his opening tournaments of 2009 while his latest effort was an eighth in Korea last week. Again his stats were good with an third for driving distance and a fifth for GIR. Surely only a matter of time before he breaks his duck and this tournament has a good record for first time winners. BEST PRICE: 40-1

PABLO MARTIN: First came to the attention of the golfing world at the Canarias Open de Espana in 2003 when as a 17-year-old schoolboy he became the first amateur to lead a European tour event after 54 holes before eventually finishing tied for 22nd place. Was still in the unpaid ranks when four years later he became the first golfer to land a title on the tour while still an amateur when capturing the Estoril Open de Portugal and that remains his only victory to date. Has found life tough since then but there have been signs in his three most recent outings that a revival in his fortunes could be just around the corner. Closed with a 68 to sneak into the top-20 in the China Open a couple of weeks ago and followed that up with his best result for a long time when 11th in the Ballantines Championship last week where his four rounds included a score of 69 and although he fired a 74 on the third day he went into the final stage of that contest lying in second spot. With nine holes left to play he was sharing the lead after reaching the turn in one-under par but unfortunately three bogeys and a double-bogey in the home stretch effectively ended his hopes. Nevertheless, there was plenty of encouragement to be gleaned from that performance as he was eighth for driving distance, sixth for GIR and in the top-15 in the putting charts. Could carry that momentum forward to his home championship and produce another prominent showing. BEST PRICE: 66-1

CARLOS DEL MORAL: Became close friends with Anthony Kim while at Oklahoma State University and started to make a name for himself over the past 12 months with his performances on the Challenge tour and the main circuit. Caught the eye when seventh in the Madrid Masters in October and went on to claim his playing card when coming through the gruelling Qualifying School event which was played at this week’s venue in November. Had a run of three successive top-20s before missing the cut in the Ballantines last week with a 12th in the Open de Estoril being the best. His approach play was excellent there as he was third for GIR and that could be a vital factor during the four days of this competition with accuracy to the greens likely to be at a premium. That area of his game featured strongly in his 14th place finish in the Open de Andalucia where he was seventh for GIR. Another of a clutch of up-and-coming Spanish golfers who will be keen to make his mark this week. BEST PRICE: 66-1

CALLUM MACAULAY: The Scottish youngster is another exciting prospect to come through the amateur ranks and another to earn his tour card via the Qualifying School tournament at Catalunya in November. Had a brilliant career in the unpaid ranks in 2008, winning the Scottish Amateur title at Carnoustie before holing the winning putt for Great Britain and Ireland to defeat Europe in the St Andrews Trophy. Produced an outstanding performance to lead Scotland to victory in the Eisenhower Trophy - the world amateur team championships. Gave notice of his blossoming talent in the pro ranks when posting a runner-up finish in the Madeira Island Open, just the fifth event of his fledgling career. Almost caught eventual winner Estanislao Goya as he charged through the field in the fourth round with birdies at each of the last six holes to card a 64 and equal the course record and an inward score of 28, just one outside the tour record. His overall performance was even more meritorious as it looked as though he might miss the cut at one point. Showed up well again subsequently when competing in the Open de Estoril at the beginning of the month where he closed with a 69 to finish with a share of 12th place. BEST PRICE: 100-1


SELECTIONS: Callum Macaulay, Pablo Martin, Carlos Del Moral, Danny Willett

• All prices correct at time of writing.

ABOUT EASYODDS.COM

easyodds.com is a comprehensive sport betting service that helps you find the BEST ODDS on offer from leading bookmakers, betting exchanges and spread betting firms and then helps you place your bet at the BestPrice.

FREE to register!
www.easyodds.com

Andrew Newton
Managing Editor
020 7691 0660