Quail Hollow Championship Preview

After a two week battle between Lee Westwood and Luke Donald for the World Number 1 spot, this week the English pair will step out of the limelight as attention turns to North Carolina for the Quail Hollow Championship. Here, current world number 2, Martin Kaymer, current world number 4, Phil Mickelson and current world number 6, Rory McIlroy, are among the top names in what is already very competitive field.

Challengers

Phil Mickelson

Lefty has had a decent 2009 so far with a ninth at pebble beach, a second at the Farmers Insurance Open and an impressive win at the Shell Houston Open. He didn’t produce his best at the Masters and would have been disappointed not to mount a challenge. This week, Mickelson returns to a coarse where he has produced some good form over the years. It is the world number 4’s eighth time competing in the event. Last year he finished behind Rory McIlroy to finish runner up and he has achieved five Top 10 finishes at Quail Hallow in his seven outings prior to twelve months ago. Phil Mickelson is best priced for the win at 12/1 (Coral). While I feel he’s a decent each way prospect, I really fancy him for a Top 10 finish and there is some good value at 8/5 (Tote Sport).

Hunter Mahan

I have a suspicion that Hunter Mahan is about to produce something big. On his last outing, he failed to make the cut at Augusta but despite this, he has accumulated a number of Top 20 finishes in majors over recent years. At the WGC Bridgestone Invitational he showed that he could cut it against the big names with a win and furthermore, Mahan showed some good current form just before the Masters with Top 10 finishes at Houston and Doral. Earlier this year, he earned another Top 10 at Torrey Pines and was runner up at Pebble Beach. While at the beginning of his career, his record here wasn’t too pretty, in recent years he has showed some good course pedigree with a 12 in 2008, a 22 in 2009 and 17 place finish last year. Mahan was twice a winner in 2010; will he gain his first title of 2011 this week? I certainly think he has a chance and the bookies present decent value at 25/1 (Paddy Power). I suggest having a punt on him each way and just for safety, cover yourself with a Top 20 bet at 11/8 (Paddy Power).

Value

Angel Cabrera

Angel Cabrera displayed top form at Augusta with great accuracy off the tee and equally great approach play. Last year, Angel carded a third place finish here behind only Mickelson and McIlroy. This week, I have a feeling that the bookies may be underestimating the Argentine. Along with his Top 10 at the Masters he earned one other Top 10 this year at the Puerto Rico Open. Given his performance at Augusta and his third place finish here last year, at 75/1 (Bet365), value cannot be ignored. A small wager on Angel each way is appealing but again I feel there is solid value on a Top 20 at 11/4 (Paddy Power). Look out for Top Rest of World at 8/1 (Paddy Power).

Tommy Gainey

I will stop tipping Tommy “Two Gloves” when he stops coming good. I tipped him two weeks ago at the Heritage and he finished third at 150/1. I tipped him last week at New Orleans and once again he finished third at 90/1. He is a man on tremendous form and even though part of me feels that this weeks field may just be too strong for him, I cannot ignore the fact that he is best priced for the win at 70/1 (Bet 365) and 11/4 (Paddy Power) for a Top 20. It would be foolish not to be on him. Third time lucky for the win? Certainly possible.

My Tips

1pt EW Phil Mickelson

2pt Phil Mickelson Top 10

1pt EW Hunter Mahan

2pt Hunter Mahan Top 20

0.5 EW Angel Cabrera

1pt Angel Cabrera Top 20

1pt Angel Cabrera Top Rest Of World

0.5 EW Tommy Gainey

1pt Tommy Gainey Top 20

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