Open de Espana Preview

This week the European Tour returns from Asia for the Open de Espana. Defending champion Alvaro Quiros leads the betting but he is sure to face stiff competition from fellow Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and the young in form Italian, Matteo Manassero.

While it isn’t easy to look beyond these three, on recent course and general form, I fancy the following to be gracing the later pairings on Sunday evening.

Contenders

Miguel Angel Jimenez

Jimenez returns to his native Spain this week on the back of an impressive display at the Ballantine’s Championship. While he would have been disappointed to finish as runner up to Lee Westwood, he produced some great golf and will hope to keep it going this week as he looks to win his first Open de Espana. His best result here was back in 1999 when he tied for second and in more recent years he tied for fourth in 2008. I am sure he will face stiff competition from Quiros and Manassero right into the weekend but I can’t see him not being in reckoning on Sunday evening. Miguel is best priced for the win at 14/1 (Boyle Sports) and is a great each way shout.

Rafael Cabrera Bello

Bello is another of the Spanish contingent that has a great chance and furthermore, the bookies provide value. While he tied for thirty-seventh here last year, in 2009 he handled the course well with a sixth place finish. He has displayed good recent form with a fourth place finish at the Maybank Malaysian Open and I expect him to be fully focused on his return to his home country. Bello is best priced at 40/1 (Bet 365) for the win and I particularly like him at 11/2 (Tote Sport) for a Top 10 Finish.

Value

Gregory Bourdy

Frenchman Bourdy is certainly worth consideration. He has registered two Top 10 finished here in the last two years. In 2009 he tied for eighth while in 2010 he tied for tenth. He came close to winning the Maybank Malaysian Open last month only finishing behind new young sensation Matteo Manassero. Bourdy is 33/1 (Bet 365) to win but at 5/4 (Sky Bet) for a Top 20 your getting a solid punt.

Shane Lowry

Shane Lowry is my outside shout for the weekend. The young Irishman displayed some great golf last week at the Ballantine’s Championship with eighteen birdies and an eagle. Unfortunately he fell behind and only managed to tie for thirteenth but if he can produce similar form this week he may be looking at a high finish on Sunday. He has conducted himself well here in the past, finishing tied twelfth last year so look out for the Wicklow man who is best for the win at 150/1. While the win may be out of his reach this year, at 4/1 (Sky Bet) to be in the Top 20 two years running, value is plentiful.

My Tips

1pt EW Miguel Angel Jimenez

0.5pt EW Rafael Cabrera Bello

1pt Rafael Cabrera Bello Top 10

1pt Gregory Bourdy Top 20

1pt Shane Lowry Top 20

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