Ballentines Championship - Going Gaga on Gonzo!
The second running of the Ballantine’s Championship at Pinx Golf Club on Jeju Island has attracted some big names, including Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and defending champion Graeme McDowell.
It is hardly surprising that these players dominate the top of the betting and each is in with a shout this week. If I had to choose one player, it would be McDowell on the basis that he has won here before and he should have plenty of confidence coming off his solid performance in the US Masters. He is best priced at 16/1 so has each way value.
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (aka Gonzo) is the man in form in Europe at present. In his last two starts, he has finished second twice, loosing one in a play-off. At 22/1 he must be considered and I am confident he can win on Tour this season and it could even be this week.
Last week I backed Chapchai Nirat and only for a double bogey at the last, he would have been placed. Despite this disappointing finish, Nirat will be full of confidence such are the strength of his performances over the past month or so. At 40/1 in some places, he is certainly an enticing bet.
Gareth Maybin finished very strongly last week after a disappointing opening round and has had a consistent start to the season. Graeme Storm also had a good week last week and must be respected. With both at 50/1, each value is evident.
Of the older guns, Freddie Couples at 50/1 is being tipped by some to have a good week. Fred has been in good form this season and I must admit he looks overpriced in the exchanges. Colin Montgomerie can also be backed at 50/1 but unfortunately, it is difficult to make a case for backing Monty.
Finally, younger prospects include Sang-Moon Bae at 80/1 and Rafael Cabrera Bello at 66/1. 23 year old Korean Sang-Moon Bae is one of the rising stars on the Asian Tour. He has already won five times, four of those victories coming in Korea. He won last year’s Korea Open by seeing off Anthony Kim and Ian Poulter, while he was six shots too good for Aaron Baddeley in the 2007 SK Telecom Open so he clearly is not phased by the competition. He finished T18 here 12 months ago, closing with rounds of 69-68 at the weekend which contained just two dropped shots.
Rafael Cabrera Bello meanwhile is in decent form right now with three top twenty finishes in his last five outings and his length off the tee should be a big asset this week. He looks very much a winner in waiting and this could well be his breakthrough event.
Verdict:
Henrik Stenson (11/1), Ernie Els (15/1), Lee Westwood (15/1) and Graeme McDowell (16/1) dominate the top of the betting and initially, my choice for this week was for McDowell to go close. I still think he might but the form of one other player over the past two weeks had led me to take the better odds on offer for Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. At 22/1 he is clearly playing great and must be brimming with confidence. I beleive he can have another good week starting tomorrow.
Chapchai Nirat was very impressive last week and although he finished just outside the places, his final round consisted of 2 birdies and 15 pars for the 17 holes and all-in-all, it was a fantastic display from Nirat for 71 holes. I’m hopeful he can make it 72 good holes this week and at 40/1, I think the bookies are being a little generous.
Finally, Sang-Moon Bae can be backed at 8/1 for a top-10 finish and although a rank outsider, he certainly has the capabilities to challenge this week.
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