Victor Chandler HSBC Matchplay Favourites

Lumpy support for Ernie Els means the 'Big Easy' is Chandler's heftiest liability ahead of this week's HSBC World Matchplay at Wentworth.The firm's golf department cut the World No2 from 3s to 5/2 after a succession of four figure investments with golf man Glen Hyslop wary of the threat Els poses."He's the five time winner and defending champion so we always give him the utmost respect here," said Hyslop.Els takes on reigning Volvo PGA Champion Scott Drummond in the first round with the big South African rated a restrictive 1/6 chance to qualify for the next phase."Because this format is played over 36 holes the cream invariably rises to the surface and it is so difficult to envisage Drummond causing him too many problems," added Hyslop.World No1 Vijay Singh is Chandler's second favourite at 7/2 with Retief Goosen 15/2, Padraig Harrington 10/1 and Mike Weir 12/1."We opened with Vijay at 4/1 but trimmed him up after the draw was made," said Hyslop.Singh takes on European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer in the first round and is rated a 2/9 chance to qualify for the next phase."If Singh gets past Langer, and we strongly suspect he will, he'll meet Miguel Angel Jiminez or Steve Flesch, and that's a superb draw."Hyslop added that his ante-post confidence in Angel Cabrera has waned after El Pato has been scheduled to meet Els in the second round.Full first round draw:Outrights:E.Els 9/4V.Singh 7/2R.Goosen 15/2P.Harrington 10/1M.Weir 12/1K.J.Choi 14/1A.Cabrera 14/1L.Westwood 14/1M.A.Jimenez 20/1T.Levet 25/1C.Riley 25/1T.Hamilton 28/1B.Langer 40/1S.Flesch 40/1J.Maggert 50/1S.Drummond 100/1All quoted. EW 1/2 1,2