
Back Jimenez RISK FREE to win the Austrian Open this week with 888sport(credit:
Richard Carter)
The 2010 Austrian Open gets underway on Thursday at a new venue, the Diamond Country Club, and punters can claim a £20 risk free bet on the latest stop on the European Tour
Head to 888sport today and open an account, and should your first bet lose, you'll receive your stake up to £20 back back in full!
The par-72, 7,053-yard layout at the Diamond Country Club features water features on half of the holes and island greens on two of the par-3s (11th and 15th). With out-of-bounds on both sides of the fairway on many holes, including a hard 18th hole, any wayward tee shots will be severely punished.
My Three Off The Tee...
Miguel Angel Jimenez @ 7/1 888sport
This week's event won't take much winning and the Spaniard, who romped to victory in Switzerland two weeks ago against much stronger opposition, is a must for the staking plan. That was his third victory of the year, having previously scored in Dubai and France, and his form figures heading into this week are an impressive 7-3-1. Of course, there's a chance he might take his foot off the gas a little with the Ryder Cup so close but even a less than 100% effort might be good enough in this weak field and, besides, first time bettors with 888sport will get their money back (up to £20) if he loses thanks to the firm's 'No Loss Bet' offer.
Tano Goya @ 40/1 bet365
The Argentine is another who has been in good form of late - 9th at Prosper, 32nd at Crans and 11th last week (would have been 4th but for a bogey at the last) - and in the nick of time too as he sits 107th in the Race to Dubai, with only the top-115 being "all-exempt" for the 2010 season. One more good week should do it and he has the skills - his main assets are his straight driving and scrambling ability - to thrive here.
Markus Brier @ 40/1 Victor Chandler
The Austrian is languishing in 150th place in the Race to Dubai after a largely forgettable season but always raises his game for his home event, which he's won three times before. Those wins all came on different tracks but he will still be the most experienced man on course this week having played it 10 times previously and his form coming into the event is at least progressive - 55th at Crans and 22nd last week, five shots off second place.
Bubbling Under: George Coetzee (125/1 totesport)
It's hard to rustle up much enthusiasm for those at bigger odds but the promising South African must have a decent shout of a top-10 finish (9/1 Paddy Power) at least. He's twice managed that feat this season, including in much stronger company in the recent Johnnie Walker Championship, and hit three sub-70 rounds out of four last week.
Punters Beware: Graeme McDowell
McDowell is the other class act in this week's field but he's been out of action since missing the cut in the USPGA and might be a touch underdone fitness-wise.
Recommended Bets:
Miguel Angel Jimenez 2pts @ 7/1 888sport (£20 risk free bet)
Tano Goya 1pt each-way @ 40/1 bet365 (£200 free bet)
Markus Brier 1pt each-way @ 40/1 Victor Chandler (£50 free bet)
George Coetzee Top-10 Finish 1pt @ 9/1 Paddy Power (£100 free bet)