The current top two in the Race to Dubai, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, head the betting for this week's Hong Kong Open, which gets under way Thursday.
The Course: Hong Kong G.C., Fanling (par-70, 6,700 yards)
A very short course by modern standards with only two par-5's (3rd and 13th) and four short par-3's - the 2nd, 5th, 8th and 12th. While big hitters will be able to overpower it, the emphasis is still very much on accuracy off the tee and when hitting iron shots into the large Bermuda greens.
Ross’ Top Tip: Thongchai Jaidee @ 28/1 Blue Square
McIlroy has obvious claims after his brilliant 63 on Sunday in Shanghai, while recent winners Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter will be hard to keep out of the frame. Neither can boast the course record of Jaidee, though. On his last four starts here, he has finished tied-19th, runner-up, tied 3rd and tied 7th, and arrives here in good nick after a brace of top-20 finishes in Shanghai and at the HSBC Champions event. He will have to step up another gear to win but the fact he needs a good finish here to wrap up the Asian Order Of Merit title might just be the incentive he needs to get his head in front.
Next Best: Wen-Chong Liang @ 50/1 Totesport
The highest-ranked Chinese golfer has yet to finish worse than 22nd in his last five starts here and considering he's recently finished runner-up in Singapore (to Poulter) and in the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on the J-Tour, there's no reason he can't go well again. I was expecting 40/1 so the the 50's offered by Totesport has plenty of juice.
Outsider: Juvic Pagunsan @ 125/1 Skybet
The Filipino may not be a familiar name with most golf punters but he did show up well at the recent Singapore and Johor Opens (finished 14th and 7th respectively) and, if you go back a bit further, he has previous here having finished runner-up in 2006. Granted, he's just as likely to miss the cut (as he did last year) than make the frame, but he's got to be worth chancing at triple-figure odds (80/1 in places)..
Ross’ 72-Hole Match Bet: Thongchai Jaidee to beat Soren Kjeldsen @ 10/11 bet365
Tournament Lay: Francesco Molinari (win market on Betfair if in contention)
The Italian will be popular with punters after playing well in the HSBC Champions (tenth) and before that when second to Lee Westwood in Portugal. However, he's one of the most infuriating golfers to back being prone to double bogeys or worse when he gets too near the top of the leaderboard and I'll be looking to lay him if he gets into contention.
Recommended Bets:
Thongchai Jaidee 1pts each-way @ 28/1 Blue Square
Wen-Chong Liang 1pt each-way @ 50/1 Totesport
Juvic Pagunsan 1pt each-way @ 125/1 Skybet