30 Oct 2009

Golf Predictions: Value Hunting on Day Two of World Matchplay

Paul Krishnamurty previews today's golf action and decides to choose long-term class over current form.


Ross Fisher @ +120 (v JM Singh)

Nobody could have asked for a more impressive performance from Jeev Milkha Singh yesterday, as he trounced pre-tournament favorite Lee Westwood by six holes. However, unless the Indian star has made a sudden recovery from long-term injury worries over the last week, he's going to have his work cut out repeating the trick today.

Singh pulled out of last week's Frys.com Open with a recurring ankle injury, because in his own words, he 'could barely walk'. Thanks to the weird new format being used for this year's World Matchplay, he's going to have to play a full 36 holes tomorrow and one has to think he could struggle in the afternoon session.

Even without that serious disadvantage, Singh would have faced an uphill battle against Ross Fisher. It seems likely that this match will decide the fate of Group D, and on the balance of their 2009 form, particularly Fisher's run to the semis of the WGC Matchplay back in February, the Englishman would always have to start as favorite. Moreover, Fisher looked in pretty good nick himself when winning yesterday's high-quality opener against Camilo Villegas.


Angel Cabrera @ Evens (v S Dyson)

After both of these players upset the odds on Thursday with surprisingly one-sided victories over classy opponents, this match looks like being another group decider. I would marginally side with Angel Cabrera, whose five shot victory over Rory McIlroy was of a slightly higher standard than that of Dyson's three hole triumph over Henrik Stenson.

Dyson was effectively handed victory on a plate after Stenson bogied the first four holes whereas Cabrera's victory owed more to his own brilliance down the back nine. The Argentinian has pedigree in this event, having reached the final when it was last held at Wentworth two years ago, and the reigning Masters champion looks a strong candidate once again.