Johnnie Walker Classic betting guide - Ross McGowan & selections

Others to consider include birdie machine Johan Edfors, who is due a win but more likely to succeed on a less positional type of course. New Zealander David Smail makes his first start since enduring a horror show when having the Australian Open title at his mercy, though can at least call on some decent memories of The Vines. Which is more than can be said for Brett Rumford or Anthony Wall around the same price range. Gareth Maybin furthered his growing reputation last week, but has yet to prove himself on greens as fast as these.   The final place in the staking plan came down to a choice between two outsiders with morning start-times, Miko Ilonen and ROSS MCGOWAN. Ilonen is a proven winner and normally ranks very high in the putts per gir stats, but hasn’t contended for a long time. Nevertheless, his last effort in Dubai was no disaster so there may still be some mileage in a trade at huge odds on Betfair.   McGowan is preferred though on the basis of an encouraging 16th in Malaysia. Many good judges were raving about McGowan when he graduated from the Challenge Tour at the end of 2007. One of his best early efforts came on firm and very fast greens at Huntingdale, where he fought back well from a slow start to make the top-15. Indeed, most of his best efforts have come overseas, though there were hints that he may pop up at a big price in mainland Europe too last summer, most memorably when recording consecutive top-10s in the KLM Open and European Masters.   Good Luck!   ADVISED BETS   JOHNNIE WALKER CLASSIC   5pts win CAMILO VILLEGAS @ 10/1 (11/1 STAN JAMES) 3pts ew PAUL CASEY @ 14/1 (BOYLESPORTS, CORAL, CANBET, EXPEKT) 1.5pts ew ALEX NOREN @ 33/1 (CANBET, LADBROKES) 1pt ew NICK DOUGHERTY @ 50/1 (GENERAL) 0.5pt ew ROSS MCGOWAN @ 125/1 (BOYLESPORTS, CENTREBET, HILLS)   Where next?   More betting: Long-term bets Tournament previews: Johnnie Walker Classic; Northern Trust Open