Johnnie Walker Classic

FINAL RESULT: 4-1-0; +3.94pts

Goosen/Donald WON by 4
Montgomerie/Donald WON by 1
Lane/Dougherty WON by 5
Lane/Lawrie WON by 1
Kingston/Sterne LOST by 12

Edged a couple of close ones in the matchups so justifiably ended the tournament in profit, albeit a small one.

Matchup plays (1pt unless stated):

Retief Goosen to beat Luke Donald -135 @ Olympic
Opposing Donald who has never played in Asia with someone who may have only limited experience here, but has at least finished in the top-5 each time. Given that Goosen holds a 8-1-0 h2h record against Donald in all events bar the PGA Tour, he deserves to be the strong favourite in this match.
(also available at Nordicbet)

Colin Montgomerie to beat Luke Donald +105 @ William Hill and Easybets
Donald would justify favouritism on the PGA Tour or in European, but in Asia it is a different matter. Not only does Monty have a great record in this region, but he has played in China (other than Hong Kong) three times before this week, finishing 1st, 1st and 6th in the process. That advantage from local knowledge of course and weather conditions will more than offset the difference in quality between these tow players.

Barry Lane to beat Nick Dougherty -125 @ Five Dimes
With two successive top-5 finishes, Lane is clearly a player in form and while he is unlikely to repeat that feat against this field, he should again play well in this region. He has never missed a cut in China (including Hong Kong) and has finished in the top-30 in nine of his last ten starts in Asia. Dougherty may have won the Caltex Masters in Singapore in January, but he cannot match Lane for consistency.
(also available at Sportingbet and Sporting Odds)

Barry Lane to beat Paul Lawrie -114 @ Expekt [2pts]
With a 15-5-1 h2h record over the past year and a 2-0-0 h2h record in this region, Lane really should beat Lawrie who was very disappointing at San Roque on Sunday. A long-haul flight to China will have done little to raise his confidence.
(also available at Ladbrokes)

James Kingston to beat Richard Sterne -111 @ Ladbrokes
Sterne is another with no experience in Asia and that should work against him this week, particularly against an Asian PGA Tour regular. Kingston has plenty of experience of playing in China and given that he holds a 13-6-2 h2h advantage over Sterne over the past year anyway, he should win on familiar territory with ease.