Australian Open Tips: Nitties Decent Value at 22/1

This week’s Australian Open features all the top players from Down Under, headed by Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott, who are vying for favouritism.

The Course: New South Wales Golf Club, Sydney, Australia (par-72, 6,938 yards)
This picturesque yet treacherous links-style layout has in the words of former champion Stuart Appleby 'more power and ability to squash players than any other course in Australia '. Fortunately for the players, the high winds which have made practice very difficult are expected to die down a little by Thursday, although conditions are still expected to be tough. There are just three par-5’s – the 5th, 8th and 18th. The greens are small and sloping.

Ross’ Top Tip: James Nitties @ 22/1 Paddy Power
I’m going to swerve the big names this week and go for new kid on the block Nitties, who is coming off a breakthrough season in the States and is playing some of the best golf of his life right now. Three week’s ago, he finished fifth to Tiger Woods in the Australian Masters and last Sunday finished runner-up in the New South Wales Open. That hasn't gone unnoticed by bookmakers, but 22/1 is still a fair price.

Next Best: Greg Chalmers @ 22/1 Boylesports
At the same price, I like the look of former champion Chalmers who, like Nitties, brings solid recent form to the table having finished runner-up to Woods in Melbourne, and is coming off a successful PGA Tour season in which he earned more than $1 million and came close to his first victory on US soil when runner-up in the Buick Open, behind Woods. A second Aussie Open is definitely on the cards.

Outsider: Nathan Green @ 50/1 bet365
The New South Welshman can be a bit erratic at times but he’s a good wind player and should have his conditions this week. A winner on the PGA Tour back in July. Back in July, he won his first PGA Tour event, the Canadian Open, after several near misses, and won his only European Tour event, the 2006 New Zealand Open, on an ocean course similar to this one. He's only 33/1 in places, so snap up the 50's while it lasts.

Tournament Lay: Geoff Ogilvy in Betfair’s win market
This week’s market leader has a high ball flight and that could spell trouble this week. Besides, his form has been very in an out in the second half of 2009.

Ross’ 72-Hole Match Bet: Greg Chalmers to beat Stuart Appleby @ 10/11 bet365

Recommended Bets:
James Nitties 1pt each-way @ 22/1 Paddy Power
Greg Chalmers 1pt each-way @ 22/1 Boylesports
Nathan Green 1pt each-way @ 50/1 bet365

 

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Tags: Adam Scott,  Australian Open,  Geoff Ogilvy,  Golf Betting,  Greg Chalmers,  James Nitties,  Nathan Green,  New South Wales Golf Club,  Stuart Appleby