Golf betting: Indian Masters preview

Unless Tiger Woods is playing it's never easy to predict golfing outcomes at the best of times. That task becomes even tougher when an event is on for the first time and the Indian Masters could well go to a local lad this week. Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker Ernie Els has obvious claims following his third-place finish at Dubai last week. He was still in contention to catch Woods going up the last but, forced to go for a birdie, was undone by a cruel wind that sent his second shot into the drink. The Big Easy is finding his form again and has rescheduled his programme this year to give himself a better shot at a Major. Although he is worthy of his favouritism Els's 4/1 odds are nonetheless restrictive and the events of Dubai could well have taken their toll on the South African, who might be less motivated by the lack of big names in the field. All of which could play into the hands of the natives. Shiv Kapur, Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh are three of the best Indians on show, with Randhowa installed as 14/1 second favourite with Paddy Power. These are decent odds considering he has won fully four times at this week's venue, including the India Open in 2006 and 2007, and finished seventh in Qatar a fortnight ago. With more experience of taking on the world's finest and having finished joint 19th in Dubai last week Milkha Singh is well-fancied. The 2006 Volvo Masters winner is well-priced at 28/1 with Better. Like his countryman, Kapur also finished in the top 25 at Dubai and is a 28/1 shot with Paddy Power. Crucially, he feels he may be coming into form just in time to shine on his favourite track. "I'm excited about this week - it's my home course and the pressure is always on you when you are the home boy but it's something to relish and really enjoy. If I was to fancy my chances against Ernie and these guys I would say my best chance is round my home course." Another player who fared well last week is Graeme McDowell, who finished fourth to Woods on Sunday after a decent finish in Qatar. The Northern Irishman is full of confidence going into this tournament and has the benefit of having played the course before. Although he will need to improve on his disappointing score there last time out. A random field should assist his cause and at 22/1 with Canbet he's worthy of a small investment. Of the outsiders, Scott Hend springs off the page as a surprise contender after coming 27th in Qatar and then 14th in Dubai. The Australian is no stranger to the Asian Tour. He returned there last season, after a promising start on the PGA Tour was curtailed by a hand injury, and the Brisbane-born 34-year-old finished fourth in the Asian rankings in 2007. Hend will be comfortable in the surroundings of the Indian capital, won't have any problems with Delhi-belly and at 66/1 looks a value each-way punt. Verdict: 2pts Randhawa e/w @ (Paddy Power); 1pt Milkha Singh e/w @ 28/1 (Better); 1pt Kapur e/w @ 28/1 (Paddy Power); 1pt McDowell e/w @ 22/1 (Canbet); 1pt Hend @ 66/1 (Paddy Power) Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker