Reigning champion Graeme McDowell starts as a strong favourite for the 2011 Saab Wales Open, which gets underway at Celtic Manor on Thursday. The Northern Irishman is well acquainted with the Twenty-Ten Course in Newport and Totesport price him at odds of 11/1 despite some indifferent form of late, while Rhys Davies leads the home bid for a first ever Welsh winner of the tournament.
McDowell was a brilliant winner last year as he fired final rounds of 64 and 63 to finish on 269, 15 under par, before going on to win the US Open at Pebble Beach. He will hope to tread a similar path this year and he certainly looks well set to claim glory in Newport.
Celtic Manor was of course the scene of Europe's Ryder Cup win in October and McDowell sealed the winning point against the USA's Hunter Mahan. It is a scene of happy memories for McDowell and it could be just what he needs to reverse some disappointing finishes of late. There was more disappointment last week as he missed the cut at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and Rhys Davies will be hoping to knock him off his perch this week.
Davies was runner up at the Celtic Manor Wales Open last year as he finished 12 under par after firing a stunning course record 62 in his final round. It wasn't enough to beat McDowell but he will be back again this year as he bids to become the first Welsh winner and he is available at odds of 20/1. He could be worth an each-way look as the course suits his style and we fancy him to be right in the mix this week.
Meanwhile, England's Simon Dyson arrives in Newport right in form after finishing third at Wentworth, two shots behind Lee Westwood and eventual winner Luke Donald, to make it three top tens in five events. He finished 5th at the Open de Espana the week before and at industry best odds of 22/1 with Tote he is another that could provide each-way value.
Also at 22/1 is Anders Hansen, although the Dane has been 'all or nothing' of late as he has finished in the top three on three occasions and missed the cut twice in his last six events, and it is difficult to know which Hansen is going to turn up.
Elsewhere, there are a clutch of players available at 25/1 with Totesport.com, they include Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, who was tied fourth at Wentworth last week to make it three top five finishes for 2011. Miguel Angel Jimenez looks the most tempting though as he won the 2005 Wales Open, finished 8th here last year and is a two time runner up already this season.
Ross Fisher is also 25/1 but his poor form of late has seen him claim just one top ten finish in nine events, while he has missed the cut in two of those.
Finally, 28/1 shot Jamie Donaldson joins Rhys Davies in bidding to become the first Welshman to win the Wales Open after tying for 7th at Wentworth, although they could all have some way to go to beat McDowell at Celtic Manor.
Celtic Manor Wales Open Tips
Tip #1: Graeme McDowell to win outright @ 11/1 with Totesport.com
Tip #2: Miguel Angel Jimenez each-way @ 25/1 with Totesport.com
11/1 Graeme McDowell
20/1 Rhys Davies
22/1 Simon Dyson
22/1 Anders Hansen
25/1 Ross Fisher
25/1 Miguel Angel Jimenez
25/1 Peter Hanson
25/1 Raphael Jacquelin
28/1 Shane Lowry
28/1 Jamie Donaldson
28/1 Darren Clarke
40/1 BAR
Odds supplied by Totesport.com, bookmakers, who provide a variety of odds and markets for the Celtic Manor Wales Open - including live betting in-running.
Posted: Tuesday, 31st May 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: european tour, graeme mcdowell, rhys davies, simon dyson, totesport,
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