The European Tour hits mainland Spain this week with defending champion Lee Westwood heading a strong field assembled at the Aloha Golf Club, which is hosting the event for the second year in succession.
The Course: Aloha G.C, Nueva Andalucia (par-72, 6,881 yards)
Resort layout created by top Spanish architect Javier Arana in 1975 and, for a par-72, it’s short by today’s standards. Tight and hilly in places, with ample fairways and large greens that are well protected. There are four par-5’s - the 1st, 5th, 10th and 16th.
Ross' Top Tip: Johan Edfors @ 20/1 Boylesports
After a dreadful 2007, the Swede has been showing signs of a return to the sort of form that saw him triumph three times in 2006, and this easy course should be to his liking. In six starts this year, he has made the each way places three times, most recently in Korea last time out. The winner will have to go low this week and Edfors, who is always long off the tee, revels in that sort of challenge. I can remember him shooting 25 under par when winning the TCL Classic, and he’s spent the last few weeks racking up the birdies and eagles (a combined 42 under par for his last three tournaments). A win is surely just around the corner and he won’t get many better opportunities this week.
Next Best: Philip Archer @ 40/1 bet365
Archer was a two shot runner-up to Lee Westwood last year and put in his best 2008 effort last time out when ninth in Korea. Before that, he was 17th in Delhi, so there is plenty of compelling evidence for a bet this week, not least the generous odds.
Outsider: Joost Luiten @ 66/1 Ladbrokes
The young Dutchman is one of the brightest talents on Tour and is quickly building a reputation for very low scoring. He shot 67-64 on the weekend when finishing fourth in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and an opening 64 sent him on his way to fifth in the Indonesian Open last month. What’s more, he'll have positive memories of Spain having won the 2005 Spanish Amateur Championship and finishing fourth in the Open Mahou de Madrid on last season’s Challenge Tour. Snap up the 66’s while it lasts.
Tournament Lay (Betfair): Miguel Angel Jimenez
No obvious candidate, but the fact that the Spaniard helps organise and promote this event on Tour might be enough of a distraction for him this week. Besides, he hardly over-performed last year when finishing 24th.
Ross' 72-Hole Match Bet: Johan Edfors to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez @ 10/11 Ladbrokes
Recommended Bets:
Johan Edfors 2pts each way @ 20/1 Boylesports
Philip Archer 1pt each way @ 40/1 bet365
Joost Luiten 1pt each way @ 66/1 Ladbrokes
Last week’s tip John Bickerton finished in a tie for fifth.