World Cup

FINAL RESULT: 0-2; -3.00pts

Spain 10th
Netherlands 6th

Poor weather washed out the final round and any chance of a return on the event. The Dutch team did look like they could get at least a place finish all week, but let themselves down over the final holes each day.

Outright plays (total stake per play: 1.5pts)

Spain to win 11/2 @ Victor Chandler and William Hill
A repeat of the team that was involved in a very close battle with Luke Donald and Paul Casey last year. They lost out by one shot on that occasion, but look better prepared to beat England this time with Howell surely mentally drained from fending off Tiger Woods and holding onto the lead for the last three rounds. Jimenez did play, but was not overly exerted, while Garcia has been displaying some of his best form in recent weeks. If Jimenez can repeat any of the form that he showed in Madrid and Mallorca last month or when he last played in Portugal and lifted the national Open title last year, they should be unstoppable this year.

Holland to win 66/1 e.w. @ BetInternet
Beyond Spain there is not a great deal of competition for this title. Much will depend upon Howell's fatigue, while for the rest, the Irish team look tired, the Swedish team serially under-perform with a best finish of 6th since 2000, the South Africans are hindered by an injured-afflicted Immelman, the American team is an insult to the WGC, the Australian team also serially under-perform in this event as have done the Argentineans, though they have had at least one good performance, but that was at home. With seven higher-ranked Japanese players declining the invitation to represent their country, this really should be a two-team contest and Howell plays the pivotal role. That leaves the field very much open for a top-3 finish and the Dutch team look good candidates. Lafeber and Derksen made their first appearance since 2001 last year and finished 5th and both have a good record on Portuguese soil. Derksen won the Madeira Island Open in April and finished 16th behind Jimenez in the Algarve Open de Portugal last year, while Lafeber can also claim to have finished 2nd in the Madeira Island Open. Both are playing at least as well as last year and that is particularly the case with Lafeber. With the exception of the German Masters when he missed the cut, last week was the first time since July that he had failed to rank in the top-10 in greens in regulation that week (he still hit 72% of greens in regulation) and only the second time since May, when making the cut, that he didn't rank in the top-10 in driving accuracy that week (he still hit 73% of fairways). In this form and in a well-practised partnership, he could lead to Dutch team to a higher finish than last year. The only downside is that BetInternet only offer three places - the best odds with four places are 40/1.