Stenson looking strong for Abu Dhabi

The line-up is excellent for the second event of 2007 and it looks like a case of sifting through the top 15 or 20 in the betting to try and land on the winner.

So there are going to be no prizes this week for stating anything but the obvious unfortunately.

Top pick has to go to last year's runner-up Henrik Stenson, part of the successful European Royal Trophy team in Bangkok.

A very strong finish to 2006 after victory at the BMW International Open got things back on track for the Swede after a bit of a lull mid-season and he now must be looking forward to an even better campaign this year.

Talk of major titles are not too far off the mark for a player with a superb all-round game and the temperament to get the most out it.

He formed a very strong partnership with Johan Edfors in Thailand, although he rather blotted his copybook on Sunday in the singles when fluffing a two-hole advantage.

But he showed he is made of stern stuff with a superb birdie at the last to salvage a half against YE Yang so looks to be in good shape as he bids to go one better here than 12 months ago.

This is the first leg of the 'Gulf Swing' and Stenson boasts a really decent record in this part of the world so looks poised to make his presence felt.

I suggested backing Ricardo Gonzalez last week at the Joburg Open and he never really fired until a final-round of 65.

He was well out of contention at the time and never threatened the leaders but it should have him spot on for this much more lucrative event.

Like Stenson, he posted a good finish 12 months ago here (fourth) and also seems to play well in the Middle East with a number of good results at Doha in neighbouring Qatar.

There have been a few changes to the National Course since 2006 - including adding some length to make it over 7400 yards - so the big-hitting man from Rosario is unlikely to be inconvenienced. The 66/1 looks a reasonable play.

Defending champion Chris DiMarco, Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomerie, who both posted high finishes 12 months ago, are back for another stab but I am going to take a chance on Australian Nick O'Hern.

Ranked 20th in the world, he has had golf punters tearing their hair out for plenty of seasons with his inability to put tournaments to bed so perhaps his gripping win after a playoff in the Australian PGA in December could see him start picking up the titles his consistent play deserves.

This will be his debut in the event but he tends to find his form in the early stages of the new year and should be raring to go at 33/1.

A pretty decent first year on the PGA Tour in 2006 should have also helped make him more battle hardened, so hopefully he can be relied upon when the chips are down.

January 17, 2007

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page