There's a quality field assembled for the third-last tournament on the European Tour schedule, including Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson, first and third in the Order of Merit standings.
The Course: Oceânico Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura, Portugal (par-72, 7,231 yards)
The longish Arnold Palmer-designed track is hosting this event for the second successive year. The course itself is fairly flat, with many fairway bunkers and water in play on seven holes. The Bentgrass greens, however, are very undulating and are expected to be running fast, so good putting will be key this week. The weather is forecast to be sunny but breezy.
Ross' Top Tip: Lee Westwood @ 11/1 Paddy Power
With European number one honours still up for grabs, both Westwood and Karlsson will be hungry for success this week, and punters can cash in by backing both. After looking like he had precious little left in the tank at the end of the Ryder Cup, I was keen to lay Westwood in the followings week's British Masters, but the Worksop Wonder dug deep to finish runner-up, and then followed that up with a solid eighth place in the Dunhill Links Championship. Now rested after a week off, I'm expecting another big effort on a course where he finished third last year.
Next Best: Robert Karlsson @ 9/1 Betfred
The Swede, a best-priced 1/2 (bet365) for the OOM title, has just over €350,000 to spare over Westwood (7/1 Ladbrokes), and is only €143,000 clear of second-placed Padraig Harrington (9/2 Skybet), so he knows he must keep his foot on the pedal to stay out in front. Unfortunately (for his rivals), he seems to be relishing the pressure, arrives here in the form of his life after back-to-back wins, and was runner-up here last year. If his putter stays hot, the rest could well be playing for second.
Outsider: Alvaro Quiroz @ 80/1 Boylesports
There are plenty of in-form class acts at the top of the market, so the chances of a big-priced outsider going in are remote, but the Spaniard merits a small each way interest. He hits the ball miles (310 yards on average!), but there's more to his game than that as he showed last week when finishing third in the all-round stats and fourth overall. Already a winner on Tour, he could easily sneak into a place again now he has found some form. Boylesport's 80/1 is standout and they also go a tempting 15/1 for a top-five finish.
Tournament Lay (Betfair): Charl Schwartzel
The South African landed bettingpro followers a nice touch last week when obliging at 20/1, but he looked knackered afterwards and could easily be forgiven for taking his foot off the gas this week.
Ross' Match Bet: Soren Hansen to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez @ Evens Stan James
Recommended Bets:
Lee Westwood 2pts @ 11/1 Paddy Power
Robert Karlsson 2pts @ 9/1 Betfred
Alvaro Quiroz 1/2pt each way @ 80/1 Boylesports
Alvaro Quiroz 1pt @ 15/1 (top-five finish) Boylesports
