The Wales Open has been staged annually at Celtic Manor since 2000, but this week's tournament is the first being staged on the brand new Twenty Ten course, which has been designed especially for the 2010 Ryder Cup.
The Course: The Twenty Ten Course, Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales (par-71, 7,352 yards)
A brand new track which means punters will have to throw away the form book that has been collated over the past eight years. The course features nine brand-new holes along the floor of the Usk Valley, as well as nine holes from the former Wentwood Hills course. Water comes into play on half of the holes and there are some classic risk-and-reward dilemmas down the closing stretch, including the 613 yard par-5 last. The other par-5’s are the 2nd, 9th, and 11th.
Ross’ Top Tip: Bradley Dredge @ 25/1 Ladbrokes
Welshman Dredge has never won this event but he can count on three top-10 finishes in eight starts, including second place last season, and massive support from the home galleries of course. Eighth on his latest start in Ireland and not outside of the top 30 on his last six starts, he looks sure to give us a run for our money on a course that’s only a few miles from his doorstep.
Next Best: Alexander Noren @ 33/1 Paddy Power
The Swede is still a maiden on Tour but a first win is surely just around the corner judged by his most recent efforts. His final round of 67 at Wentworth last week was only bettered by Luke Donald’s 65, and his eventual sixth place was his third top-10 finish in his last five starts. If he can keep playing at that sort of level, he’s sure to be in the mix on a course that should suit.
Outsider: Oliver Fisher @ 66/1 Skybet
Has made steady rather than spectacular progress since turning pro at the end of 2006, but I'm convinced he’s a star in the making and a first win should come sooner rather than later. After missing the cut in his last two starts in Asia, the nineteen-year-old has rediscovered his form of late with back-to-back top-30 finishes and he’s definitely worth a few quid each way at 66’s.
Ross’ Match Bet: Martin Kaymer to beat Robert Karlsson @ 10/11 bet365
Tournament Lay (Betfair): Robert Karlsson
A former winner of this event but is likely to be feeling drained after the finish to last week’s BMW Championship in which he saw his big final round lead disappear but still had a putt to get into the playoff - which he missed.
Recommended Bets:
Bradley Dredge 1pt each way @ 25/1 Ladbrokes
Alexander Noren 1pt each way @ 33/1 Paddy Power
Oliver Fisher 1pt each way 66/1 Skybet
