Smurfit European Open and Ciallis Western Open

Smurfit European OpenThe European Tour visits the K Club, just outside Dublin, for the Smurfit European Open this week, and a significant fact is that Ian Woosnam and Tom Lehman have both decided to take part. The reason is that the K Club will be hosting the 2006 Ryder Cup, and indeed a lot of the European Tour players will be itching to show Woosie that the course holds no problems for them. They'll be more Captain's picks this time and a lot of possible contenders know that if they impress this weekend they will do their chances no harm at all. Players in this category include Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and Phillip Price, all of whom have won the event in the last five years. Also in attendance are Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn and Colin Montgomerie. With Stan James Paul Casey at 66/1 does look great value. In the Bismarck's he's 80/1, but this is win only. Sure he's not setting the world alight at the moment but his record here is reasonable, he'll want to impress Woosie and good golfers don't become bad ones overnight. But although the European field is strong and eager, there are ominous appearances from several high class overseas players. Reteif Goosen is the tournament favourite at 7/1 and quite rightly so. His final day disaster at Pinehurst belied a tremendous performance, and he's at the top of his game. Ironically the man who beat him to the trophy at Pinehurst, Michael Campbell, also plays this weekend. Priced up at 25's he certainly has a chance, however you suspect his US Open victory will have taken a lot out of him. If you don't agree with this then he does represent great value at 25/1. Let's face it he won the event here in 2002. Angel Cabrera does have strong chances though. He's playing well and has had 4 top tens in his last 5 visits here. At 16/1 he's a good bet. He's also 11/2 to be Top Rest of the World player. Each way it is a ¼ odds 1,2,3. This has to be a bet. Tom Lehman is also playing reasonably well this year and at 40/1, has to be considered.One player we have not mentioned is Padraig Harrington. Winner last week in the States, he has to have a great chance this week. In his native Dublin, he's 9/1 to win it, 10/11 for a Top Ten Finish, 7/2 to be Top GB & Ireland player and 11/10 in his 72 hole match bet against Goosen. All these can be considered bets. This man will be raring to get back to where he belongs. Expect big things from Harrington this week. Go to Stan James now! Ciallis Western Open The US Tour returns to Cog Hill in Illinois, for one of the oldest Tour events on the schedule. Two of the big golfing guns are in attendance this week as well. Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh head the field which also includes Jim Furyk and Luke Donald. The course is quite tricky with tiered greens and 110 bunkers dotted around the landscape. There will be no advantage with the length of the course because a prolonged dry spell has meant that the course is fast and the rough is very playable. Stan James make Tiger Woods the 11/4 favourite followed by Vijay at 8/1. Now there is no doubt that Tiger enjoys this event. He's won it three times and he's playing very well at the moment. Sure he didn't quite manage to win the US Open, but from tee to green his game is as good as it's been all year. He has to be a main contender here, and the mere fact he is in the field will scare the pants off the other players. Vijay Singh can never be ruled out of anything. At 8/1 he is decent each way value. Luke Donald went to college in Chicago so he has an affinity for the area and knows the course well. He really is beginning to motor on the US Tour and at 14/1 has to be a runner here. Other players with local connections include Jerry Kelly (50/1), Jeff Sluman (100/1) and Skip Kendall (225/1). There is a strong Australasian contingent in the field. Both Allenby and Appleby have good records here, the former being a winner in 2000. Peter Lonard at 15/2 to be Top Australasian is worth a bet. He came 5th here in 2002. A real value bet is Mike Weir at 40/1. He has been in the top three, three times in the last four years. He's been a bit patchy this year but 4/1 for a Top Ten finish has to be good value. Other players worth a mention for various reasons include Scott Verplank at 40/1, who has been the subject of decent early money and Mark Hensby (33's from 40's) who played well in the US Open and knows the Cog Hill car park intimately. Apparently he slept there in his car for a week once in his early days on tour. I'm sure his accommodation will be a little better this time. But the man they all have to beat this week is Tiger. He'll take a lot of beating as well. If his putter is on fire, the course record of 63 could be in danger?..Go to Stan James now!