WGC-Cadillac Championship: golf betting guide

The second World Golf Championship of the year, the WGC-Cadillac Championship, takes place this week at the TPC Blue Monster, Doral.

Some 48 of the world's top 50 will be action, including world number one Rory McIlroy, who caused controversy by withdrawing from last week's Honda Classic mid-way through the second round.

The only absentees are PGA Tour Money List leader Brandt Snedeker, who is sidelined with a rib injury, and Japanese number one Hiroyuki Fujita.

Justin Rose won the tournament last year, holding off Bubba Watson to win his first World Golf Championship event.

The Englishman is one of the favourites this time around, but faces stiff competition from the world's elite.

Despite being labelled the 'Blue Monster', the course often yields plenty of birdies. Players will, however, come up against the hazardous par-4 18th, officially the hardest hole on tour.

Tiger Woods is 10/1 favourite with Ladbrokes this week, but an inauspicious performance at the Honda Classic means I'll be looking elsewhere.

Lee Westwood, at 25/1 with Ladbrokes, looks well priced this week. He hasn't finished outside the top 30 in this last three trips to Doral, and comes into the event off the back of a top ten at the Honda Classic. He currently ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in Scoring Average and 12th in Total Driving.

Keegan Bradley, also at 25/1 with Ladbrokes, is another to watch out for this week. The American finished eighth in his debut at the WGC-Cadillac last season, and has made a habit of raising his game in the big tournaments. He is also in good form, finishing fourth last week at the PGA Championship.

Peter Hanson, at 50/1 with Ladbrokes, looks generously priced this week. The big Swede is growing in stature every year, and looks poised to make his American breakthrough sooner rather than later. He contended last week at the Honda Classic before finishing in a tie for 13th, and will be confident returning to a venue where he came fourth in 2012. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, at 150/1 with Ladbrokes, is a good each way bet this week. The Spaniard showed some encouraging signs at the WGC-Accenture Matchplay, where he reached the third round. His record at Doral isn't spectacular, but his long odds more than make up for that.

WGC-Cadillac advised bets:

3pts each way on Lee Westwood at 25/1 with Ladbrokes 3pts each way on Keegan Bradley at 25/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Peter Hanson at 50/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano at 150/1 with Ladbrokes