Malaysian Open Preview

After an enthralling four days of golf last weekend, on Thursday, just days after his Masters triumph, Charl Schwartzel will take to the tee at the Malaysian Open. The South African will be joined by World Number One Martin Kaymer and young Rory McIlroy, who after his Augusta catastrophe on Sunday evening, will be determined to turn fortunes around. The week after the Masters is always a though one to call but on form and value, these are the men to look at.

Thongchai Jaidee

This week I am looking towards two of the top local men to push for honours. First is Thongchai Jaidee. The former Thai army paratrooper holds the record for most career victories and most career earnings on the Asian Tour. He has a great course record, winning in 2004 and 2005, and achieved a Top 10 finish here last year. He also claimed two titles in Asia in 2009 through the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and the Ballantine's Championship. Jaidee is best priced at 25/1 (Bwin) and is 9/4 (Victor Chandler) for a Top 10 finish.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat

Aphibarnrat is the second of the local challengers. Last year he tied here for third and recently claimed the SAIL Championship on the Asian Tour. Though Jaidee is the cream of the local crop, I expect Aphibarnrat to make a challenge and at 80/1 (Stan James) value is plentiful. He is 11/2 (Paddy Power) for a Top 10 and to play it safe he is best at 2/1 (Sky Bet) to claim a Top 20.

Rory McIlroy

Many would opt to avoid the young Northern Irishman after his heartbreaking meltdown on Sunday night. However I, along with many others admired his attitude as he made his way off the 18^th green. Having blown a four shot lead going into the final day, he showed great maturity as he gave interviews, speaking of how lessons were learned. One would expect this week would be too soon for the Co. Down native to bounce back but I have a feeling it will be a case of sooner rather than later for the 21 year old. I see a big performance this weekend and at least in the Top 10 come Sunday evening. He is priced at 11/1 (Boyle Sports) for the win, 10/11 (Paddy Power) for a Top 10 and 16/1 to ironically lead the field after day one just like he did last weekend.

Louis Oosthuizen

Last years Open Champion is sure to be in the running come Sunday if he produces his best. He may have missed the cut last week at Augusta but the 28 year old has been in excellent form. He finished the 2010 season in 10th place on the Race to Dubai and had three further top-10s after his major win. In January, he claimed his third European Tour title finishing ahead of Johan Edfors in Andalucia. The South African is best priced at 18/1 (Paddy Power) and in my opinion is a good each way punt.

Johan Edfors

Edfors found form when produced a second place finish two weeks ago in Andalucia. The Swede has had success locally in the past claiming the Black Mountain Masters in Thailand on the Asian Tour in 2009. He is a big hitter and this helped him tie for 7^th here last time round. I really fancy Edfors to make a challenge this week and like Aphibarnrat is great value at 50/1 (Boyle Sports) for the win. He is best at 11/2 (Stan James) for a Top 10 finish.

My Tips

2pt EW Louis Oosthuizen

1pt EW Thongchai Jaidee

1pt Rory McIlroy Top 10

1pt Johan Edfors Top 10

1pt Kiradech Aphibarnrat Top 20

• This article was published on www.fightingtips.co.uk.
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