The Omega Mission Hills Golf World Cup is a team competition consisting of 28 pairs representing their country, and is being played in China for the second year in row on a course designed by Jose Maria Olazabal, who is not playing this week.
Still, there are plenty of big names in action, including the English pairing of Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher, who are a best-priced 9/2 with William Hill. Poulter was fourth in this event 12 months ago with Justin Rose, so is familiar with the format, which is a mixture of fourball and foursome play over the four days, and both are capable of low scores - which will be needed considering that a playoff was needed last year after two teams finished on 25 under. However, the bookmakers have their measure at 5/1, and I'd prefer to look elsewhere for some each way value, especially as we can get terms of 1/4 odds, four places.
The Swedish pairing of Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson are even shorter at 4/1 (Blue Square), which looks poor value, especially as there is a slight question mark over the current form of Stenson, who capitulated over the weekend at last week's Dunlop Phoenix in Japan. They may well win but not carrying my money.
I would much rather have a few quid on the United States team of Ben Curtis and Brandt Snedeker, who are bidding to make up for the play-off defeat of compatriots Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum 12 months ago. Curtis is an ideal player for this type of format as he hits it straight and is a fantastic putter, while Snedeker played some solid golf at the Dunlop Phoenix, so the 12/1 on offer with Paddy Power looks on the generous side.
India are also worth backing at a tasty 22/1 with bet365 - as low as 14/1 in places. Both Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa should be familiar names to golf punters and they both arrive here in good form. Singh won the Singapore Open two weeks ago and finished strongly last week in Hong Kong, while Randhawa also played well in the latter to finish in the top-20. Snap up the 22's.
The Thai pairing of Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Markaseng have been well-backed this week, and it's easy to see why. Together, they have won 11 times on the Asian Tour, and Markaseng is in red-hot form having landed the aforementioned Dunlop Phoenix. The 25/1 on offer at the start of the week was value, but their current best price of 16/1 (Chandler) makes less appeal.
Of the rest, the experienced Miguel Angel Jimenez and the exciting youngster Pablo Larrazabal are an interesting combo for Spain (16/1 totesport), while defending champions Scotland (25/1 Ladbrokes) can once again count on the ultimate team player in Colin Montgomerie, although he has a new partner this year in Alastair Forsyth. Interestingly, Ladbrokes are giving the home team China plenty of respect at 25/1, but 40/1 is available with Coral.
Recommended Bets:
USA 1pt each way 12/1 Paddy Power
India 1pt each way 22/1 bet365