The Madrid Masters at Centro Nacional de Golf in the Spanish capital kicks off a three-well spell on the Iberian peninsular.
The Course: Centro Nacional de Golf, Madrid, Spain (par-72, 7,242 yards)
A new course which only opened in 2006 and is hosting this event for the first time, although it was used for the 2007 Spanish Open, won by Charl Schwartzel. I don't know a great deal about the course, to be honest, apart from that it is quite undulating and hilly, which might not suit the older players. There are four par-5's - the 1st, 5th, 10th and 18th - and the forecast is for sunshine with temperatures in the 70's.
Ross' Tip: Charl Schwartzel @ 25/1 Coral
The South African will have strong positive mental associations with this course, having won the Spanish Open here in 2007, and with this event having won it last year at nearby Club de CampoVilla de Madrid. This season, he's been pretty consistent with five top-10 finishes - including fifth place when the European Tour last visited Spain for the Open de España - and he did play well for two rounds last week, shooting 10 under par over the second and third rounds after an opening 80. With Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald propping up the market, he's a perfectly backable price too.
Next Best: Gregory Bourdy @ 40/1 Totesport
The Frenchman has really found some form of late with three top-20 finishes (two 10's) in his last four starts and is a proven winner having won twice on Tour in as many years - the 2007 Mallorca Classic and the 2008 Estoril Open de Portugal. Clearly, he likes playing in this part of the world and he'll know his way around this week's track having finished eighth to Schwartzel in 2007. Of the remaining events this season, this probably represents his best chance of posting another win.
Outsider: Carlos Del Moral @ 110/1 bet365
Currently 134th in the 'Race to Dubai' standings, the Spaniard needs to start earning some cash quick if he is to keep his card for next year (outside the top 115 and he'll be going back to 'Q School!), which I'm hoping will spur him to season-best effort this week. Top-30 efforts at the recent KLM Open, and again last week, suggest he's not that far off his best and he can draw on his experience here in 2007, when finishing tied-23rd. With the support of the home crowd, he's worth a small dabble at triple-figure odds.
Tournament Lay: Luke Donald win market on Betfair
Capable of some sublime golf but rarely delivers when the chips are down, including last week when a tame closing 73 dropped him down from overnight leader to a share of seventh. I just can't have him at around 14/1 this week.
Ross' 72-Hole Match Bet: Darren Clarke (playing well tee to green) to beat Rafael Cabrera-Bello (lost the plot since winning in Austria) @ 1.8 Betfair
Recommended Bets:
Charl Schwartzel @ 11/2pts each-way 25/1 Coral
Gregory Bourdy 1pt each-way @ 40/1 Totesport
Carlos Del Moral 1/2pt each-way @ 110/1 bet365