Point-Spreads.com fancy Angel Cabrera to sort out the men from the boys and win the Smurfit European Open at what is expected to be a wet and blustery K Club in Ireland. Sportsbook.com has Angel Cabrera at 12 to 1 odds to win the tournament this week.
The Argentine arrives in fine fettle since defeating Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk at ferocious Oakmont with the new found self-belief that huge win will bring makes him a serious prospect in the Emerald Isle. El Pato has certainly gone close often enough in this week's tournament, which has been weakened by the withdrawal yesterday of Paul Casey and top names Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
Unfortunately, most European Open form from the events 12-year history at the K Club comes from the North course on which the Ryder Cup was used.
This week´s Smurfit course has hosted the event just twice, when Retief Goosen won in 2004 and last year, with Welshman Stephen Dodd coming home by two shots in 2006.
Angel Cabrera finished eighth to Goosen and 17th to Dodd, not helping his cause on the latter occasion by finishing way down the putting stats.
Also fancied is Niclas Fasth who has hit form with a vengeance. Fasth following up his US Open fourth with a victory in is in the form of his life.
He was driving the ball better than he has ever done in Germany and that is sure to stand him in good stead around here.
Powerful 50/1 Swede Peter Hanson could well make the frame as well. His K Club form is very solid, following fourth place on the Palmer course two years ago with a ninth to Dodd in a week when his suspect putting stroke held up particularly well.
Padraig Harrington 10-1
Paul Casey 12-1
Angel Cabrera 12-1
Niclas Fasth 15-1
Bradley Dredge 20-1
Richard Green 20-1
Colin Montgomerie 25-1
Richard Sterne 30-1
Jeev Milkha Singh 30-1
Simon Khan 40-1
Peter Hanson 40-1
Graeme McDowell 40-1
Jyoti Randhawa 40-1
Raphael Jacquelin 40-1
David Howell 50-1
Graeme Storm 50-1
Martin Kaymer 50-1
Andres Romero 50-1
Michael Campbell 50-1
Field (Any Other Golfers) 2-3
