Ballantine's Championship golf betting tips: Gareth Maybin

As for GARETH MAYBIN, all he needs to do is eliminate that one bad round and his maiden Euro Tour title will follow. That's to be expected of a rookie, and is easily forgiven. 20th was no bad result considering his poor opening round, and once again the young Northern Irish prospect was amongst the best long game exponents in Beijing.

Johan Edfors is bound to be a popular pick on the basis of his recent win in Thailand and 5th place last year. He is certainly suited by low scoring courses and usually ranks near the top of the greens in regulation stats. My only concern is that he may be less at home here with the extra emphasis on position off the tee, but is respected nonetheless.

Equally, it would be no surprise at all to see Simon Dyson and Peter Hanson in contention all weekend. Neither of them win very often, though if I had to pick one it would be Hanson, whose temperament has been fine in the past. Dyson's effort in Beijing; in contention throughout before failing to deliver on Sunday, was typical. One could say something similar about Markus Brier, though at least he's a bigger price at 50/1.

And having finished runner-up twice in a row, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano must rate a mention. For the first time I can remember, Fernandez-Castano seemed to fold under the pressure and while his previous strength in this regard makes it easy to forgive, he just seems to be struggling with the putter at present. Odds of 22/1 aren't anything to write home about either. Richard Finch also let himself down on Sunday, and it would be asking a lot to bounce back immediately.