Maybank Malaysian Open golf form guide

THONGCHAI JAIDEE   Bidding for his third Malaysian Open title and in the form of his life, Jaidee starts a strong favourite, even if that is adequately reflected by single figure odds. His latest efforts in the WGC Match Play and Dubai Desert Classic represent by far the best form on offer. And while the course has been re-designed since, it can only bode well that Jaidee finished second here in 2006.   KJ CHOI   Choi had shown enough on this year's PGA Tour to support a bet last time out, so obviously entered calculations again in a field of roughly the same standard. KJ certainly has the class to dominate in this company and rated a tempting pick, if ultimately less than those alternative, bigger-priced each-way selections.   SOREN HANSEN   Nobody better illustrates that trend of under-performing Europeans in Asia than Soren, who has never seriously challenged for any of these co-sanctioned events in a decade of trying. Despite improving during the same period, he hasn't made a top ten in Asia since 2005.   DARREN CLARKE   A top ten last time out in India, along with second in Joburg Open, demonstrate that Clarke remains competitive at this lower level. He strikes me as being well motivated to climb the rankings again, and could easily have been a pick here.   CHRIS WOOD   Three consecutive top 20s during the Gulf Swing confirm Wood is making fast progress, but he's yet to prove his abilities on Asian greens, making little impact on either of his starts on this continent to date.   ANDREW DODT

Dodt boasts the best recent form of anyone besides Jaidee. Before winning the co-sanctioned Avantha Masters last time, he'd finished seventh and second in Australasia. That form is well reflected in much reduced odds.   DAVID HORSEY   Another obvious pick on recent form after three consecutive top 20s in the Gulf, and Horsey's claims are further strengthened by the fact he finished runner-up last year.   SOREN KJELDSEN   This likeable player is always worth considering at this level, but Kjeldsen has yet to make a top 20 in three Malaysian outings.   JYOTI RANDHAWA   Randhawa has been one of the most reliable Asians in these co-sanctioned events over the past decade, including making the top six in three out of the last five Malaysian Opens. He hasn't been firing on all cylinders for a while, though.   DANNY WILLETT   Regular readers will know there's no greater Willett fan than me, and he is a big price on his best European form. He has no experience of Asian golf, though.   RICK KULACZ   Kulacz looks like another decent Australian prospect on recent Race to Dubai evidence, and unlike most of the opposition can boast high-class form in Malaysia, having won last year's Selangor Masters.   SHINGO KATAYAMA   Arguably the best Japanese player of his generation, Shingo always warrants respect at this level, but his recent form looks inferior to previous peaks.   JOHAN EDFORS   Edfors has reached the top 15 in the last two Malaysian Opens and won on the Asian Tour, making him one of the more interesting European contenders. Recent form is nothing special though.   IGNACIO GARRIDO   This experienced player has yet to show his best form in 2010, but was very solid from tee to green last summer. That should bode well for this course, and he has made the frame in a Malaysian Open before.   PRAYAD MARKSAENG   Marksaeng finished runner-up in this event last year, and has a stack of high-class form on the Asian Tour. Recent form is only ordinary, but that is reflected in eye-catching 80/1 odds.   Where next? Tournament preview: Malaysian Open golf preview Equipment guides: Equipment reviews Competitions: Win golf prizes