Abu Dhabi: The Golf Spiv's golf betting verdict

You can imagine how annoyed the Spiv was this morning when he woke up to find out that Brandt Snedeker didn’t win the Sony Open after a play off. Gomez deserved it and well played, that man. But still managed Each Ways on Sneds and Kisner so on the whole...can’t grumble too much now can I?

Anyway, this week sees the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and it looks set to be a cracker. The return of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Henrik Stenson. There are a couple of things to think about with regards to this trio. McIlroy and Spieth understandably start as favourites with extremely low prices. 4/1 is the best you can currently get and that will drop once money is placed on them. If you fancy either of them then get in now. Stenson will be playing his first tournament since his meniscus surgery back in mid December. Will the Swede be fully recovered to play well? Big ask.

So without further ado here are the Spiv’s one’s to watch out for given their prices.

Martin Kaymer 22/1 (PaddyPower)

"Whatdyamean the Spiv has me at 22/1??!!"

The German lost his PGA Tour card which means he’ll play more on the European Tour. Will hopefully get back to winning ways and why not start here. Major winner and big time player. Plus he likes it on this course. Only one shot behind McIlroy to finish third. Bookies have him as fifth favourite behind the ever popular Spieth, McIlroy, Stenson and Fowler. Good value for the German. 

Danny Willett 33/1 (Ladbrokes)

"Yeah, it's Tiger again, wants to know if there are any Assistant Captain gigs going?"

Willett came close...real close, to winning the Race to Dubai last season. Recent results place him as a consistent threat to the likes of McIlroy with T-4 in Dubai and the Nedbank. Add in his form at the EurAsia Cup where he secured Two points out of Three and beat An in his day three singles. This might be the best price you see on him in a European Tour event for a while. 

Victor Dubuisson 40/1 (Bet365)

Is Vic there? Yes, he's just there, see?

Turkish Open champion, T-4 at the Nedbank and member of the victorious European Team at the EurAsia Cup. Good form for the Frenchman who also came T-4 here last year. Likes the course, on a roll and looking like the Dubuisson we all remember. At this price...has to worth a punt. 

Chris Wood. 66/1 (William Hill)

Chris Wood: Properly good each way bet.

A strong Each Way candidate. Wood has grown into a fantastic player and will be fresh from victory at the EurAsia Cup as well as third at the Nedbank. Two time winner on the European Tour and currently second in the Race to Dubai. This is an excellent price and well worth a Each Way at those odds. 

Haydn Porteous. 175/1 (Stan James)

Hang on a minute? 175/1?? He just won last week...

Like an outsider? Big odds? Well this could be your man. Comes into this tournament as the Joburg Open winner and a place at the Open. Ok, the field was especially exceptional but will come to this with confidence after his win. Will be a big ask but could surprise...unlikely to win but could creep into the top 5 with ties. Anything is possible, right?

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