Golf: European Tour - Open de Madrid Picks

This is the final regular event on Tour and so assumes huge significance for those players who are in danger of losing their playing rights for next season - the top 115 in the European Tour Order of Merit keep their card for 2005. Of course it does not always translate that the players who need a big finish will do so. Some may be able to raise their games, while others may wilt under the intense pressure when faced with the dole queue. Therefore, assessing the mental strength of certain players this week will be another factor to throw into the mix when making your selections this week. There are no unemployment worries for the main pick this week - David Howell - who rewarded our each way support when 5th in the Dunhill Links a couple of weeks ago. His Ryder Cup experience, along with a third place finish to Ernie Els in the Amex Championship, appear to have done wonders for his self-belief, and it is surely only a question of time before he adds to lone Tour success, the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic. At 14/1 he looks to be a better value proposition than Miguel Angel Jimenez, our 7/1 favourite, who has had an exhausting schedule recently. At much bigger odds, Gordon Brand Junior could be worth a small each way interest at 150/1! A former Ryder Cup star, his record in this event during the nineties was phenomenal - 2nd in 1996, 4th in 1995 - and at 124th in the Order of Merit this is his 'last chance saloon'! Recommendation: David Howell @ 14/1, Gordon Brand Junior @ 150/1 (each way, ¼ odds 1-2-3-4-5).