Golf Betting: Hong Kong Open

After the high drama of Shanghai and the pomp and ceremony at the City of London last weekend there is quite literally an after-the-Lord-Mayor's-Show feeling about the UBS Hong Kong Open this week, but that could work to the favour of our golf betting and a number of players looking to get off to a good '2008' campaign, not least Miguel Angel Jimenez. The ponytailed Spaniard did not enjoy the most productive of years in 2007 and is 28th in the running to tee off at the Ryder Cup in Valhalla next September but there is plenty of time before then and now and Jimenez is beginning to show glimpses of form after two top-ten finishes in his last five events. Jimenez is also gearing up for the Omega Mission Hills World Cup next week when he will drive off for Spain alongside last year's Hong Kong Open champion Jose Manuel Lara. After winning the Hong Kong Open in 2004 and coming sixth 12 months ago Jimenez represents good value at 20/1 with Paddy Power to come to the boil this week. Another European looking to make good on recent form is Soren Kjeldsen. The diminutive Dane came runner-up at the Volvo Masters recently and tends to like this time of year, finishing the 2006 season (I know, confusing isn't it) with three top-tens in his last four sorties 12 months ago. The 32-year-old came sixth in the Hong Kong Open last year, 18th in 2005 and looks well-priced at 25/1 with Paddy Power. Although Phil Mickelson has not hung around in Asia after last week's win, the likes of Retief Goosen, Mike Weir and Stuart Appleby will be in attendance. The PGA Tour player who most catches the eye, though, is European. Daniel Chopra at 33/1 with Paddy Power scored his maiden title win at the Ginn Sur Mer Classic in Tesoro recently and the in-form Swede will be determined to prove that his Ginn winn was no drunken fantasy. Gregory Bourdy will also still be feeling good about himself after his Mallorca Classic triumph last month. The Frenchman had threatened to do some damage when coming fourth at the Madrid Open two weeks beforehand and, having finished 11th in the Hong Kong Open last year, it might be worth taking a chance on the 55/1 outsider who clearly has a liking for the Hong Kong Golf Club. Verdict: 2pts Miguel Angel Jimenez @ 20/1; 1pt Soren Kjeldsen @ 25/1; 1pt Daniel Chopra @ 40/1; 1pt Gregory Bourdy @ 55/1 (all Paddy Power