Italian Open golf form guide: main candidates

MAIN CANDIDATES

MIGUEL-ANGEL JIMENEZ 'The Mechanic' is, as ever, a threat to all. He beat a vastly superior field to this one in Dubai, and also showed high-class form when 12th at the Masters. Others are preferred though, around what should be a long-hitters' paradise.   GARETH MAYBIN Maybin continues to knock on the door, with another runner-up spot in Korea. In addition to those recent form claims, he must make any shortlist on the basis of last year's eighth.   SOREN KJELDSEN Last week's main pick was immensely disappointing. Kjeldsen shouldn't be written off on the basis of one performance, as he was in excellent form beforehand, but I suspect these wider fairways will offer less of an advantage to such a short-hitter.   OLIVER FISHER Despite ending a run of five consecutive top tens with last week's missed cut, Oliver remains a potentially massive improver, well worth keeping on side over the summer.   JAMES MORRISON While Morrison was barely recognisable six weeks ago, he must now come in for regular consideration after a fantastic start to his European Tour career. That makes it top six finishes in four of his last five events, including a win at the Madeira Islands Open and Sunday's play-off defeat. It is hard not to conclude, however, that the bookies have his number at 33/1.