Abu Dhabi Championship: Kaymer to out-score star duo in day one 3-ball

Will Martin Kaymer out-score McIlroy and Woods on day one?

There's a mouth-watering three-ball in Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning, and like the old adage in horse racing - always back the outsider of three - Dan Geraghty is doing exactly that...

This week the season-opening champions tournaments are behind us, we are into the season proper and back to three balls and what a three ball the European Tour has thrown up, perhaps the most intriguing I've ever seen.

World number one Rory McIlroy has new Nike clubs to get used to, Former world number one and Nike posterboy Tiger Woods is over from America fresh from besting Rory in Nike's new advert, whilst German Martin Kaymer makes up the threesome and brings with him some of the best course form you're ever likely to see.

It's anyone's guess how McIlroy plays with his new clubs, and last time we saw Woods he failed to win his own Chevron challenge on one of his favourite courses. For those reasons I'm happy to back Kaymer, who will be delighted to be back in the UAE and has every chance of outshining the Nike pair on day one.

I've already mentioned why I'm backing Shane Lowry outright this week and I'm happy to follow that up by backing him to outscore Scott Jamieson and Jeev Milkha Singh on day one. Jamieson's game has been in great shape during the past month; however, I was disappointed with his performance on Sunday when approaching the final round with a five-shot lead, he looked a beaten man before they reached the back nine, whereas Singh has played here a number of times, but is yet to crack the top 20.

Last week Matteo Manassero recovered from an opening 75 to shoot three rounds in the 60s to finish tied for ninth. His playing partners this week, Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal made it into last week's event thanks to former glories and both finished over par. I fancy Manassero to build on his encouraging start to the season, he should have little difficulty finishing the first day as best of the three.

Last week Padraig Harrington spoke about how he enjoys starting the season with an event that has no cut, because it gives him the freedom to go about his business knowing he will play four rounds of golf. Harrington duly started with two rounds in the 70s and finished with two rounds in the 60s finishing two shots ahead of one of this week's playing partners Paul Lawrie in fourth place. A confident Harrington is a dangerous Harrington, he will take some beating this week. Peter Hanson makes up the three ball.

At the end of last season the dogs were barking that Paul Casey was on his way back, a fact that was backed up by his best four performances of the season coming in his final four events. Last week's 18th placed finish neither confirmed nor denied Casey's resurgence, but his performance this week may well do. Casey has exceptional form here and is twice a former champion. Thomas Bjorn and Darren Clarke will be no pushovers, but a strong performance is expected from the Englishman.

Reccomended Bets

2pts Back Martin Kaymer @ 3.185/40*
2pts Back Shane Lowry @ 2.3611/8
2pts Back Matteo Manassero @ 1.664/6
2pts Back Padraig Harrington @ 2.68/5*
2pts Back Paul Casey @ 2.245/4*

*The asterixed three balls are available in-play on Betfair

Season Profit/Loss: -0.45pts

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