Australian Open

Outright plays (1.5 units):

Peter Lonard to win 12/1 e.w. @ BlueSq
Has looked very solid in the last two weeks, finishing 5th both times and well in contention throughout. With a very consistent record in this event - no worse than 21st in any year since 1995 - it all points to another high finish and he has been able to close out events in style in his home country. With the weakest event in years following the debacle at Victoria Golf Club last year, there are not too many challengers this week.

Rod Pampling to win 25/1 e.w. @ Ladbrokes
One who is a challenger is Pampling. His current form is even better than Lonard's - he reached the playoff for the MasterCard Masters two weeks ago and finished just a shot behind Peter Senior last week. He did ride his luck at times in the final round, but in that form he should not be that price (he is generally 16/1 elsewhere). He played well in this event to finish 4th two years ago and could very easily match that feat.

Geoff Ogilvy to win 25/1 e.w. @ Stan James and BetInternet
Few can match Ogilvy's form in this event - he has finished in the top-10 in each of his last three attempts. But his form at the end of the PGA Tour season was even more impressive: five top-10 finishes in his last eight starts. Having finished 11th in his first start of his late 2003 ANZ Tour season (the MasterCard Masters), there are plenty of indications that Ogilvy should feature this week.

Final update: 1-2; +8.25 units

Lonard 1st
Pampling mc
Ogilvy mc

Great final round by Lonard in poor conditions, shooting 3-under-par on the back nine to wrest victory away from Leaney. After two weeks of having a selection finish 2nd, it was a very nice way to end the season!