Azerbaijan Challenge Open

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Matthew Fitzpatrick - 1.5 points each-way @ 20-1 (Skybet)

Robert Coles - 1.5 points each-way @ 40-1 (General) 

A very disappointing end to the event last weekend in France with both selections lying in the top two with the back-nine in front of them. A superb 64 by Hydro winner Andrew Johnston was too much for them all though, and now looking certain to qualify for the main Tour next season it is just a matter of whether he, or Moritz Lampert or Jake Roos, can gain automatic promotion before the season end. With no previous form for this event, or indeed country, we have little idea of what is required but a brief look back through the season (and especially at Spey Valley) shows the first two names to be capable of extremely high class approach play and putting and that third win would be no surprise. Their prices reflect that however and I have looked elsehwhere.

Matthew Fitzpatrick may well have faded towards the end at Le Vaudreuil but the score of 31 on his front-nine on the final two days is further evidence that the 19-year-old is a superstar in waiting. Once again, his short pro career has seen top-30 in the Heritage, Irish Open and French Open whilst the top-50 at Pinehurst was spoiled by a third-round 78, only to be recovered with a Sunday 69. 8th last week with all rounds of 69 and under, it will be a matter of weeks not months before he gets his head in front and at 20-1 I'll keep returning to the well as I believe he is capable of producing top-class golf.   

The second selection follows a bit of a offshoot pattern. Although Robert Coles is in the latter stages of his career, he is playing some very consistent golf but the thing that caught my eye were his results at 'new' courses. This year the Englishman has a 10th in Turkey, 15th at Claydael in Belgium and a recent 5th in Slovakia, and it may be that his experience on both tours is a factor in adjusting to new surroundings quicker than the youngsters. The theory is that he will have seen greens of all standards throughout his golfing life so will not be as put-off as some might be and his recent results are worthy of attention adding a 6th in Germany. I felt he stood out amongst the middle ground of the odds and this presents a chance to add to his three wins on this Tour, although the last was five years ago.        

Just left out was improving Oliver Farr whilst naturally Jens Fahrbring will be watched closely as the Tour reaches Scandanavia.