BMW PGA Championship: golf betting guide

The European Tour comes to England this week for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in Surrey.

The European Tour's flagship event - the only tournament staged in England - has attracted the strongest field of the year.

Aside from Peter Hanson, who was forced to withdraw through injury, Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team and captain Jose Maria Olazabal will all be playing this week.

Wentworth again plays host to this historic championship, as it has done since 1984, and tough conditions are forecast.

That might play into the hands of more experienced players like Luke Donald, who is bidding to win his third consecutive BMW PGA Championship title.

The Englishman has been installed as the 8/1 favourite this week, but given recent form, I'd be looking for slightly better odds. Sergio Garcia, at 16/1 with Ladbrokes, is a reasonable price this week. The Spaniard is one of the form players in world golf, and he's notched 19 top 25s in his last 20 starts. Garcia went toe-to-toe with Tiger Woods for 70 holes as the Players Championship, and he said earlier this week he's extremely happy with the state of his game.

Branden Grace, at 40/1 with Ladbrokes, is one to keep an eye on this week. The South African hasn't managed to win yet in 2013, but his remarkable consistency has been extremely impressive. He finished fifth in this event last year, he's shown good form in practice and he comes into the tournament off the back of a top three at last week's Volvo World Matchplay Championship. Paul Casey, at 66/1 with Ladbrokes, looks well priced this week. The Englishman hasn't recaptured the form that saw him reach number three in the world, but I'm convinced he's close to a fully-fledged return to prominence. I wouldn't be at all surprised if that happened at the BMW PGA - an even he won in 2009.

Brett Rumford, at 80/1 with Ladbrokes, is the European Tour's most in-form player. He won back-to-back tournaments at the Volvo China Open and Ballantine's Championship last month and, what's more, he tied fourth at the BMW PGA in 2006.

David Howell, at 100/1 with Ladbrokes, is an excellent price this week. The popular Englishman has enjoyed a stellar season, recording six top-17 finishes on the European Tour. He lives on Wentworth's doorstep and he won the BMW PGA in 2006 - his last professional victory.

BMW PGA Championship advised bets:

2pts each way on Sergio Garcia at 16/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Branden Grace at 40/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Paul Casey at 66/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Brett Rumford at 80/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on David Howell at 100/1 with Ladbrokes