2010 Major Champions Look For Season Capping Win in Singapore

American Phil Mickelson continues his global quest for #1 at the Barclays Singapore Open and he’s got some formidable opponents to contend with if he’s going to add one more win to his 2010 Masters title. 

The left-hander let a chance to get closer to world #1 Lee Westwood slip away last week in Shanghai.

However, Westwood’s taking the week off, so Mickelson has his shot to get right on the Englishmen’s heels to close out the year.

The same can be said for German phenom Martin Kaymer.  The 25-year old German actually goes off as the (12-1) betting favourite in Singapore ahead of Mickelson at (14-1). 

Like Phil, the 2010 PGA Champ will be looking to cap his major championship season with a victory in the metropolis city-state.  Kaymer will play through the rest of the European season giving him three more chances to earn world ranking points. It’s conceivable he’ll finish the year atop the world rankings if he can put together a series of high finishes over the next month.

Joining the Masters and PGA Champion in Singapore is US Open Champion Graeme McDowell.  McDowell has been red hot over the last month.  Despite a pedestrian 34th place in Shanghai, McDowell won the Andalucia Masters two weeks ago in Valderrama and two weeks previous to that was 3rd at the Austrian Open. 

Consequently, the Northern Irishman is more than deserving of the bookies pegging him at (16-1) just behind Mickelson.  He’s possibly the hottest player in the world over the last few weeks and not one to sell short in Singapore.

He won last week but it feels like Francesco Molinari comes to Singapore seemingly flying under the radar.  He’s not part of the chase for #1 but that hasn’t stopped the Italian from putting up a 1st and 3rd in his last three starts, including his 860K Euro payday in Shanghai. 

The golf observer may have lost him amid the late year shuffle in the world rankings, but the bookmakers kept a keen eye on the Italian as Molinari joins Phil Mickelson at (14-1).  Don’t be surprised if he’s in the mix right to the end on Sunday.

Other notables teeing off this week.  Padraig Harrington goes off at (20-1).  It’s been a relatively disappointing season for the three-time major winner.  He’s put up just two top-three finishes and no victories in 12 events on the European Tour.

Finally, from the land of long odds, 2009 PGA Champion YE Yang is at (50-1).  He’s got a major championship and a win on the Asian Tour in 2010, so keeping one eye on the enigmatic Korean is never a bad idea.

Golf's three ugliest words: still your shot  - Dave Marr