Quiros Leads The Field Into Open de Andalucia

Alvaro Quiros is off to the best start of his career and comes into the Open de Andalucia the betting favourite as he’s already posted three top-10’s in just six events to open the season.

Quiros, just 28-years old, finished 8th at the Volvo Golf Champions in late January in a star-studded event that was ultimately won by Paul Casey.

He then followed that solid performance with a 2nd place finish in Qatar and then a culminating victory a week later at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Seeing as he’s already claimed top spot this year in a field that boasted the likes of Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy, he’ll most surely be looking to claim yet another title in a field that is far weaker than those he had such success against earlier in the year.

The odds suggest a degree of confidence as Quiros tees off Thursday as a long pre-tournament favourite at (12-1).

Behind Quiros is Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez who heads to round one at (14-1).

The cigar smoking Spaniard is dangerous in any tournament he enters for the mere fact he’s shown he can play with, and beat, anyone in the world on a given week.

He’s already had two impressive finishes in 2011.  He finished 2nd behind Casey at the Volvo Golf Champions and also made it to the quarters of the World Match Play in Arizona where he dominated his first three opponents before losing to Martin Kaymer 1-up.

Third on the board, yet way back by the numbers, is Simon Dyson at (28-1).

A third choice in the high 20’s shows just how unknown this field is before things tee off and the fact that there’s no top-10 players in the field.

Dyson’s season was off to a forgettable start until last week in Sicily where he managed a 5th place finish.

Regardless, it would be a real surprise if the 33-year old was a real factor this week.  He hasn’t broken 70 but once all season and really looks to still be in search of his game.

From the land of long odds, victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie will tee off at (125-1).  The biggest headline he’s made in recent years was leading his European side to a Ryder Cup win and has little notable results to think he could be a factor, but he still is Colin Montgomerie and his time could come anytime he tees it up.

If there is any larceny in a man, golf will bring it out    - Paul Gallico