The Volvo World Matchplay Championship at Finca Cortesin in Spain returns to the tour calendar this Thursday after missing out last year and it boasts a stellar cast of players. Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer share favouritism at 7/1 in the betting with Victor Chandler as the trio continue their battle for the world number one spot.
The tournament actually involves five of the world's six top players and the four current major champions, and with £700,000 on offer there is plenty to play for. As with any matchplay tournament it pays to look out for those stars of Ryder Cup and the WGC-Accenture Matchplay, with this year's tournament involving 24 players in eight groups of three and a knockout stage at the weekend.
Current world number one Westwood opens his tournament against Aaron Baddeley and Anders Hansen and there will of course be plenty of betting opportunities on individual groups with VCBet. Westwood was the winner of this tournament in 2000 and runner up in 2004, and as a star of the Ryder Cup he knows what it takes to win an event like this. He appears to be moving into form at the right time as he won the Ballantine's Championship last time out after a dismal start to 2011 that saw him pick up just one top-15 finish in six events.
However, Westwood looks to have plenty of work to do if he is to beat the stand out player of 2011, Luke Donald. The world number three has been sensational this year and he has notched six top-10 places in six events during 2011. That includes a win over Martin Kaymer in the final of the WGC-Accenture Matchplay and the Englishman is set to open his tournament against Ryan Moore and reigning champion Ross Fisher.
Donald is also the top money earner of 2011 and with his short game it is difficult to back against him on current form.
Martin Kaymer will be hoping to make another matchplay final appearance as the German looks to improve on what has been a disappointing season. Kaymer missed the cut once again at the Masters and despite finishing ninth in Malaysia since, he has finished 62nd and 19th in his last two outings.
VictorChandler.com offer 8/1 on Rory McIlroy's chances after he suffered his own much publicised difficulties at the Masters. The Northern Irishman hit back with a third in Malaysia but a missed cut in the Wells Fargo last time out was very disappointing.
Elsewhere, Masters champion Charl Schwartzel is priced fourteens in the betting after picking up six top-15s in ten tournaments during 2011, while Graeme McDowell is available at the same price. McDowell showed real improvement in the Players tournament last week but fell away on the final day and has since admitted to tiredness which could be a concern with four gruelling days of matchplay golf to come.
Meanwhile, defending champion Ross Fisher is priced 28/1 after a poor year in which he has picked up two top-15s and two missed cuts in eight events. Of better value despite an equally disappointing year could be 14/1 punt Ian Poulter as the Englishman is an experienced Ryder Cup star and often saves his best for the matchplay format - but Luke Donald very much looks like the man to beat this week.
Volvo World Matchplay Tips
Tip #1: Luke Donald to win outright @ 7/1 with VictorChandler.com
Tip #2: Ian Poulter each way @ 14/1 with VictorChandler.com
7/1 Lee Westwood
7/1 Luke Donald
7/1 Martin Kaymer
8/1 Rory McIlroy
14/1 Charl Schwartzel
14/1 Graeme McDowell
14/1 Ian Poulter
16/1 Alvaro Quiros
16/1 Paul Casey
20/1 Aaron Baddeley
25/1 Retief Goosen
25/1 Francesco Molinari
25/1 Louis Oosthuizen
28/1 BAR
Odds supplied by VictorChandler.com, bookmakers, who provide a variety of odds and markets for the Volvo World Matchplay- including live betting in-running, group winner, top European and many more.
Posted: Monday, 16th May 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: european tour, volvo world matchplay, lee westwood, luke donald, victor chandler,
 | Latest TPC Sawgrass Odds Watney Heads Betting But Kaymer And McDowell In The Hunt Tiger Woods pulls out through injury | 13th May |
 | Iberdrola Open Odds Back Gregory Bourdy In The Mallorca Betting Bourdy won at Pula Golf Club in 2007 and could provide value this week | 10th May |
 | The Players Championship Odds Tiger Woods Returns To Head The Fifth Major Betting Woods returns from injury but Adam Scott could be a decent each way punt | 10th May |
 | Open De Espana Odds Betting Suggests Defending Champion Quiros Is The Man To Beat Raphael Jacquelin looks good value for a place finish in Spain | 3rd May |
 | Wells Fargo Championship Odds 2006 Champion Jim Furyk Could Provide Value As An Each Way Bet Reigning champion Rory McIlroy and last year's runner up Phil Mickelson set to do battle again | 3rd May |
Headline News
 | Euro 2012 Top Goalscorer Betting Preview Mario Gomez Favourite To Land Golden Boot Robin Van Persie In The Mix At The Head Of The Betting |
 | BMW PGA Championship Betting Luke Donald Starts Favourite At Wentworth Defending Champion Can Reclaim World Number One Ranking |
| Crowne Plaza Invitational Odds Zach Johnson Heads The Betting At Colonial David Toms Returns To Defend His Title In Texas |
 | West Ham Odds On To Stay Up On Return To The Premier League Next Season Hammers Short Priced For A Bottom Half Finish Though |
 | Russian Grannies Lead Eurovision Semi Final Odds Jedward Ready For Battle |
BRAND NEW £250 free bets offer.
Open Account - Free £250 Bets With Paddypower
£25 free bet with William Hill.
Open Account - Claim £25 Free With William Hill
Claim a massive £50 free bet with teh leading bookmaker Ladbrokes
Open Account - Free £50 Bet at Ladbrokes
The UK based bookmaker Betfred is now offering a £50 free bet for new clients.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Betfred
New £50 free bet offer.
Open Account - Free £50 Bet With Coral
BetVictor is offering £100 in free bets to all new clients.
Open Account - Open Account - Free £100 Bets With BetVictor
Up to £200 worth of free bets with Bet365.
Open Account - Claim £200 Free With Bet365
Those looking for some online casino entertainment ought to check out all the latest UK Casino Sign Up offers from the top operators including 32Red and many of the sports betting casinos.
There is excellent information, should you be interested in playing online blackjack, roulette, the best progressives or slots - Online Casino Betting with the best introductory offers
Bookmark This Page