Omega Mission Hills World Cup: Italy Value at 14/1

His confidence will be sky high as a result and between them they have the talent to rustle up the market leaders.

The golf season proper may have finally come to a close, but there are still some big-money events to bet on before the year is out including this week's Omega Mission Hills World Cup. And with just 28 pairs to choose from (instead of the usual 150+ players), punters must stand a fighting chance of finding the winner!

A good place to start is with England, who are either outright or joint favourites with the majority of firms at around 9/2, the exception to that rule being Totesport, who go out on a limb slightly at 11/2. Considering England will be represented by the in-form pairing of Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter, who have both won on the European Tour in the past month, that doesn't look a bad price. That said, I seem to remember they were hot favourites for this event last year but could only finish sixth to Sweden. Admittedly, they blew any chance of winning after a second 74 and they are in better form now, but there is still precious little margin for error at that price.

Likewise Ireland (5/1 Skybet), who will be represented by Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, and last year's winners Sweden (13/2 Victor Chandler), who will again be represented by Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson. They will have their supporters, as will Spain (Sergio Garcia and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano) at 9/1 (William Hill). However, with some bookmakers going one quarter the odds down to four places, I reckon there is value to be had by backing an outsider or two.

This is a team event and no pairing is likely to gel better than the Molinari brothers, Francesco and Edoardo, who represent Italy (14/1 bet365) of course. The former is well known to golf punters being a regular contender on the European Tour for the past few seasons, but Edoardo is no weak link having topped this season's Challenge Tour rankings and was a surprise winner of the Dunlop Phoenix event in Japan last week, beating Karlsson in a play-off. His confidence will be sky high as a result and between them they have the talent to rustle up the market leaders.

Korea (28/1 Boylesports) can boast the only 2009 Major winner on show in the shape of Y E Yang and his playing partner Charlie Wi is no mug either, so they could go well. As could the Japanese pairing of Ryuji Imada and Hiroyuki Fujita at 40/1 Stan James. However, even more tempting are New Zealand at double that price with Skybet, albeit at one fifth the odds (Ladbrokes go one quarter the odds but at reduced odds of 66/1).

They are represented by Danny Lee and David Smail, who are chalk and cheese. The former was ranked the No.1 amateur in the World earlier this season and even managed to win a European Tour event, the Johnnie Walker Classic, before turning professional. His swashbuckling style, combined with the consistency of journeyman Smail (19 top-10 finishes in the last two years mainly on the J-Tour), could make the Kiwis a tournament dark horse.

Recommended Bets:

Italy 2pts each-way @ 16/1 bet365 (1/4, 1.2.3.4)
New Zealand 1pt each-way @ 80/1 Skybet (1/5, 1.2.3.4)

 

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Tags: Danny Lee,  David Smail,  Edoardo Molinari,  Francesco Molinari,  Golf Betting,  Graeme Mcdowell,  Henrik Stenson,  Ian Poulter,  Omega Mission Hills World Cup,  Omega World Cup,  Robert Karlsson,  Rory Mcilroy,  Ross Fisher