Singapore Open

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In hindsight it was a mistake taking last week off as the co-sanctioned event threw up some staggering mismatches (consistent Asian top-20 player Jaidee versus out-of-form and woeful Mark Wilson, and Asian stalwart Ernie Els against Geoff 'who? oh you won a Major' Ogilvy for two), but it makes me even more keen this week!

Unfortunately the co-sanctioned Singapore Open has a top-sided look to it, with over 75% of the field with very little hope of making the front page of the board. This results in some tight matches at the top; however one or two stand out

Louis Oosthuizen to beat Phil Mickelson - 6 points at Evens (Stan James)

Lefty's form may read decent enough in Shanghai but elsewhere he posts only reasonable efforts and one top-ten from five starts here isn't the kind of reading you need if fancying him to beat one of the most in-form players in the world. Although Phil played well enough last week in a favoured location (although not on a course he had won at), he allowed eventual winner Ian Poulter to out-try him and when dropping behind, found it hard to recover over the difficult final holes. As usual with Phil, he just didn't convince and that course record and current inability to kick-on is enough to make him worth opposing. 

It could be close but the South African's current run of play is up there with anybodys in terms of quality and he is possibly playing the best tee-to-green of any player. Rather like Mickelson he doesn't win enough events and he should certainly have added to the two minor wins he has clocked up in 2013. His collapse last week has been the subject of much debate, with the Golf Channel destroying his mental toughness proclaiming that he can only win against weak fields, yet it should still be noted that his form since May has been top class, recording six top-10s including four top-5 finishes.

It is hard to forget just how well Oosty played through the first two days of the HSBC, continuing his sublime iron play but actually holing putts for once and he is just forgiven for thinking too much on a big lead. Louis may be better off coming from off the pace this week but whilst he holds the edge over Phil in basic consistency with his green finding skills, his credentials are furthered by the effort in last years running of this event, where he shot 63/65 over rounds two and three, to finish 3rd in a weather-interrupted event . He destoyed Mickleson for accuracy off the tee and approach play and even whilst his putter fell way short of those around him, the stats show that he took to the greens far better than his oppo. At evens your pick, there is only one way to go.

Thongchai Jaidee to beat Matteo Manassero -  4 points @ 10-11 (Boylesports)

As said above, consistent Jaidee was one of the fancies last week and whilst he isn't as convincing in Singapore, he at least has something to recommend him whereas his young oppo has nothing!

Key to matchbets is finding a weak opponent and while the young Italian may win plenty of events in the future, he has stalled throughout 2012, throwing away good chances earlier in the season and seemingly plodding his way to a place in Dubai. As far as local form is concerned, a middle-field finish in 2010 is as good as we have, whilst last week effort of four rounds of 70 and over hardly sends the pulse racing.

The near veteran Jaidee has far more obvious claims. His last four efforts read 15/8/16/21 and include a top-15 at the Alfred Dunhill Links and his last two efforts in China are indicative of his play - consistent without being top class. Nevertheless, he will not be worried by any of the weather breaks that seem to arrive each year and he can get back on that top-25 trail that ran from 2008-2010. Whilst only midfield last season, he did shoot 66 in the first round and that along with recent form can inspire a similar effort. Judged on their respective playing stats, a top-25 may be all he needs to land the bet.