Open de France

(Please note: Andy is on holiday and will be back for The Open at Royal Troon)

72-hole final update: 2-2-0; -0.50pts

Allenby/Jimenez LOST by 2
Casey/Jimenez LOST by 1
Casey/Immelman WON by 4
O'Hern/Montgomerie WON by 15

Disappointing return after all four matches had been leading with one round to play. Just didn't expect a top-10 performance from Jimenez to edge out the two selections.

72-hole plays (1pt):

Robert Allenby to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez -125 @ BlueSq
Siding with the former winner of this event (1996) who had a good record on this course until his last appearance in 1998. He is also in much better form and was never under the pressure of being in contention last week despite finishing 7th. Jimenez has also failed to finish ahead of Allenby in any event over the past two years (9 events).
(also available at Pinnacle)

Paul Casey to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez -125 @ Sportingbet and Sporting Odds
Jimenez has a best finish of 23rd in six attempts on this course and that it not particularly good. Casey will be making his debut and should certainly finish higher than that mark. He finished 2nd in his last European Tour event and a continuance of that form is expected this week.

Paul Casey to beat Trevor Immelman -126 @ Pinnacle
Immelman was in contention last week after 36 holes, but shot 79-82 over the weekend when the conditions were much harder. So not only has Casey got extra days to prepare for this event, but he will also be much stronger mentally from getting the early flight out of Long Island. Immelman has been anything but consistent this year and this looks a hard week for him to be at his best.
(also available at BlueSq)

Nick O'Hern to beat Colin Montgomerie -111 @ Centrebet
A very consistent player against one who is very unsettled. Sounds easy enough. O'Hern's record of six top-6 finishes in his last ten starts measures against none in Monty's last seven, which is the period from which the break-up with Eimar became public knowledge. No Surprise that O'Hern leads him 5-0-0 h2h in European events this season, which makes these odds look rather generous.
(also available at Expekt and Five Dimes)

Round One 18H Bets... All matches lost. = -5.00 Pts

B Langer to beat B Davis and S Drummond @ 2.62 Ladbrokes
Langer is favourite with Hills whereas Davis is favourite everywhere else. I agree with Hills' view.

N O' Hern to beat G McDowell and G Havret @ 2.62 BetDirect
O' Hern should be lower in this 3 ball where Havret is taking a bigger % of the book than he should.

M Fraser to beat S Scahill and M Maritz @ 2.75 Corals
Fraser has been far superior to his opponents this season and should be clear favourite.

P Casey to beat R Jacquelin and M Siem @ 2.5 Hills
Biggest rick of the day here i think. Casey is even money elsewhere and that is nearer the mark.

A Hansen to beat B Lane and P Lima @ 2.30 Hills
Hansen is probably just a little too high here and is worth a bet at Hills' offer.