Casio World Open

FINAL RESULT: 3-2; +1.32pts

Suzuki/Schwartzel LOST by 8
Kase/Murota WON by 11
Katayama/Montgomerie WON by 4
Taniguchi/Montgomerie LOST by 3
Rose/Montgomerie WON by 3

Small profit on the matchups mainly from opposing Monty. Pity he birdied the last hole on Friday to make the cut by one shot, it would have been a sweep against him otherwise.

Matchup plays (1pt unless stated):

Toru Suzuki to beat Charl Schwartzel -114 @ Expekt [2pts]
Schwartzel returned home to Schwartzel to try and regain some confidence after missing 10 of his last 15 cuts in Europe. He did manage two top-10 finishes in two very minor events, but should struggle again outside his home country. He missed the cut in his only other start in Japan (2003 Taiheiyo Masters) and should be no match for Suzuki who has been in great form in the last couple of months.

Hideki Kase to beat Kiyoshi Murota -111 @ Centrebet
Small play on Kase who has a very solid record in this event with top-30 finishes in five of the last six years; Murota did win this title in 2001, but has still only finished in the top-30 twice over the same period. Murota has also finished aheadof Kase only four times in their last fourteen common events.

Shingo Katayama to beat Colin Montgomerie -125 @ Centrebet [2pts]
Toru Taniguchi to beat Colin Montgomerie -120 @ Five Dimes [2pts]
Opposing Monty heavily this week. Apart from a brief burst of form that saw him earn his Ryder Cup wild card and an impressive performance in the Ryder Cup itself, his game has remained in the doldrums. Add in the fact that he has not played in Japan, let alone this course, in any of the last eight years and he is clearly one to oppose this week. So straightforward to oppose him with two outright selections who headthe outright market. On their own Tour, they are match for most players.

Justin Rose to beat Colin Montgomerie -114 @ Expekt [3pts]
Rather than stay in Europe after failing to qualify for the Open Championship, Rose opted to play on the PGA Tour and rebuild his game and his confidence there. And it was successful. In 11 PGA Tour events, he finished in the top-30 in seven occasions. Now he returns to Japan where he finished 1st, 5th and 4th in three starts in 2002 and 15th in one start last year. Confidence renewed and with a proven record in Japan, Rose should easily be the best-placed international player this week.
(also available at Paddy Power)