Open de France

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LEE WESTWOOD TO BEAT MARTIN KAYMER - 6points @ 8-11 (general)

A clash between two genuine heavyweights on the world stage, let alone Europe, in a mouth-watering field and on a course that demands accuracy and guile all the way to the 72nd hole. Despite both players having claims to the title, ignore the pre-event prices which look fair but short and get with Lee John to finish higher than the previous winner.

Yes, yes, we know Westwood hasn't won a Major but no one could ever complain if he nabs one or two over the next couple of years. His game, dominant in Europe in the early years of the century is now at a level that many can only dream of - long off the tee, he finds fairway after fairway and gives himself far more chances than he ever takes although he is improving on the short grass. When Westwood gets it right he is awesome as when winning pulling up in Indonesia and Sweden, yet top-10s in The Masters and the U.S Open show succinctly that he does it in top class too. Here, he faces a man that hasn't quite got his game together this season on a course that will not forgive loose iron shots. 

Course form just favours the German and course figures of 4/6/1 are impressive but it is worth noting his last two Sunday's have been 73/73 and he isn't playing well enough to think he will afford the comfort of a similar round. 

Westwood finished just behind Kaymer in 2009 with a strong finish of 65 against the winners 68, but I am far more convincved of the former's current play and positive attitude and am expecting him to be in front for the majority of this weekend.

MARK FOSTER TO BEAT HENRIK STENSON - 3POINTS @ 10-11 (LADBROKES)

Although Stenson beat Sterne on the last occassion he was tipped here, I still remain convinced that the Swede is very unreliable. It was only his final round in Germany that makes him anything like a 10-11 shot in this match and his previous form (average on the PGA Tour) and course form (a best of 29th the last time he played here in 2006) suggest he is going to struggle now conditions have become even more testing.

It was a bit of a toss-up as to who to oppose him with but I have Mark Foster in the same mould as Graeme Storm, someone who finds winning very difficult, but who can play these tough courses very well, and better than most even if they cannot put their head in front.

Foster destroys Stenson for course form with three top15s in six starts, including running-up here last season and his recent play is excellent - 18th in Germany and a decent 5th last weekend on the tough Irish Links. He should have done even better last weekend but, as is his wont, he failed to push on when with a chance, collaborating with leader Gregory Bourdy to provide a very poor Saturday pairing. I was impressed with his final round when he managed to shake off the lost chance and felt as though he could kick on through the next couple of weeks.

 However he fares, I certainly expect him to be there at the end and certainly in front of the Swede, who may find the demands on the temperament a bit too much.