Scottish Open

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Mark Foster to beat Anders Hansen - 5 points @ Evens (Bet 365)

Whilst Foster let us down last week, he didn't play poorly in finishing 28th - indeed, his iron play was continuing that good form shown in Germany and Ireland. Unfortunately for the match-bet, his scrambling around a very tough course wasn't up to the mark. Here at Castle Stuart, his accuracy with the approach shots should give him plenty of chances in what is a putting contest. 

Foster's record in contention is poor but he finished well in Andelucia and Germany and more significantly came again in the fourth round in Ireland, having lost the plot with playing partner Bourdy on the Saturday. Obviously that is the most significant result returning to a Links course and whilst his win record looks bad, his putting is improving (ranked top 20 last two events) and he was a solid 14th last season with three very consistent rounds. To top it all, I'm not sure that his opponent can boast better formand it is not as if he needs to win to land the bet (see last week's bet on Lee Westwood).

Hansen again showed his fragility last weekend with an appalling final round 75 to finish outside the top-10, having led overnight. He is completely untrustworthy in the mix and his best asset, driving accuracy, may be no advantage here this week. This event did take place on a non-Links track for a while but eitjher way, he has no real form at any track in Scotland and that 66th last season shows he clearly doesn't come here with a positive mental attitude - stick that with last Sunday's collapse and ask yourself why he is favourite.  

Simon Dyson to beat Matteo Manessaro - 4.4 points @ 10-11 (Stan James)

Paddy Power go 8-11 Dyson and that is a far more accurate reflection of his chance in this match that takes in a confirmed Links lover against a man for whom a short , tight, parkland course is preferred.

A winning selection in Ireland, Dyson's form around Links courses is on a different plane to his opponent and wins in Ireland, Holland and at the Dunhill Links suggest that Castle Stuart is his sort of track, a fact backed up with his positive statement that he grew up on similar courses and completely enjoys the challenge of playing shots and thinking his way round a course, rather than just booming the ball miles down the fairway. 

Ignore last weeks effort in France round a tough tight track and back him to continue his resurgence of form following the birth of his first child. Top-15 in Germany, he didn't get close to challenging for the win in the Irish Open but a closing 67 was excellent considering he could not hole a putt. Lest we forget he was good enough to be an outstanding Asian champion and even led the U.S Open a couple of years ago, and all that on courses that don't suit quite as well as a traditional Links.

Manessaro is clearly a man that will win plenty of events but it isn't going to be the Scottish Open on a Links track. We were against him in Ireland where he missed the cut and if the wind does blow he may again find that his game isn't there. After a stunning first full season on Tour, the Italian has suffered as many do when trying to confirm his status in the game and has struggled to continue any decent position through the weekend. Having looked very good last week after a first round 66, he was expected to do far better than his final effort and whilst he made plenty of birdies, he often seemed mentally tired and that led to crucial mistakes. 

Where Dyson can boast plenty of top-tens and a win in Scotland, Matteo has very little to show for half-a-dozen efforts and is making his debut around here. Take the generous 10-11.