Foshan Open

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Xin-Jun Zhang - 0.75 point each-way @ 100-1 (Bet365)

You have to feel for the players 'on the bubble'. Just 45 will compete for their European Tour card in a few weeks time, and after a few weeks off, they are expected to travel to China to play on a course that has just opened, and on fairways ad greens that will be perfect but young and unreliable. Good Luck.

Meanwhile, all that helps nobody including the oddsmakers and I feel they have made an error in putting up Xin-jun Zhang at 100-1 and he is the first bet this week.

Zhang has risen through the Asian ranks over the last couple of seasons and won a handful of lower league titles however more eye-catching was the 13th at the 2011 HSBC eventually won by Martin Kaymer. In interview after his third round 64, the low of the day, he commented that his low ball flight and softer greens were the main advantages he had and that asset will come in useful on these virgin Tifeagle Bermuda greens.  His play since hasn't been stunning but that is often expected during the first season of a full-time pro and he showed considerable improvement in finishing 9th in last weeks Nashan China Masters. Okay, take away winner Charl Schwartzel and most of the top-10 and it's an unknown crew, but in 3rd at the halfway stage and being beaten just 5 shots is form that stands up perfectly well in this weeks field, and he may just have a 'home' advantage.

Interestingly, Nike have recently signed the 26-year-old and with that very recent good showing, this could be money well spent. They don't sign 'badduns' and at 100-1 this week, it is hoped we aren't backing one either. Given my only other possible thus far was Oliver Wilson, with good recent form and good memories of China yet a non-winner and at 33-1, Zhang is the call.