The Austrian Open cannot be said to be the premier event on Tour. The fact that it comes the week before the US Open does not help its efforts to attract big names; many evidently feel that preparations for Torrey Pines in San Diego will not be found in Austria.
However, there are, as always, some top-class golfers here this week, not least defending champion Richard Green, seeking to become the first Australian since Greg Norman to win a Tour event back-to-back, and the first left-hander in history to do the double.
I like the look of Green; he's a very experienced chap with a demeanour most golfers should think about killing for. His putter also seems to be working - and although I feel that left-handers often look to have a steadier stroke, the statistics agree - he's 9th in the 2008 Putts Per Round stats.
Paddy Power put him at 14/1, just behind the tournament favourite Darren Clarke, at 12/1.
Darren. He's been my favourite golf for over ten years now, and it's great to see him getting back into a bit of form. I'm confident he'll make the Ryder Cup team on merit, but expect to see him in Valhalla anyway - he's well worth a wild card.
This is his 3rd tournament in a row, but he's got the week off next week as he watches the action from Torrey Pines on the TV. He decided to play in Celtic Manor last week instead of trying to qualify, focusing on the Ryder Cup. A fourth place finish there seems to say it was a wise move, and I'm confident he can keep up the form here.
As always with Darren, temperament is paramount. He's one of the most talented players in the world, and if he keeps his head he'll be right back up there. He does seem much more relaxed this year - he has put the game into the perspective it deserves, and accepts the ups and downs.
Michael Hoey won here on the Challenge Tour - I'm backing Darren to take another Austrian Crown back to Northern Ireland.
Marcus Brier is the home favourite, and three wins on the course and his status as touring professional there state the facts. He's coming off four straight missed cuts, but don't be surprised if he turns on cruise control this week at home.
Look out for Pelle Edberg as a 100/1 outsider - he's a player with a lot of talent, and I'm confident he'll pick up another win sooner or later. Shiv Kapur is another man whose form this year hasn't matched his capabilities, while I think John Bickerton of England is the type of steady player who could bring in a top-5 or better this week.
Don't see my mentioning of odds as an encouragement of gambling, nor do Paddy Power know I'm mentioning them - they just happen to be the online bookie I use (although a commission would be nice if any of the tips come off).
Just time for a quick word about the US tournament this week - the Stanford St. Jude Classic. David Toms has owned the course for the last few years, at 15/1 he's definitely worth a flutter, while Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia, two of my tips for next week's US Open, might be on to something good this week too.
Tomorrow I'll be back with news of the Austrian golf, where we'll have no more vulgar talk of money - I watch golf to enjoy it, as my chances of making profits from it our long gone.
Till then.
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