Golf: – Omega European Masters (Into the Weekend)

We have reached the mid-way point on the latest leg of golf's European Tour at Crans Sur Sierre in Switzerland. Female American teenage sensation Michelle Wie has departed from the action and fell victim to the two-round cut. Wie, who was a special sponsors invite for this event became only the second ever female player to take part in a European Tour event when she teed it up on Thursday with some of Europe's bets male golfers. Unfortunately for her, she couldn't make herself a match for the big boys, finishing on a very disappointing +15, so if she does stay for the weekend it will be only as a spectator.

It is Welshman Bradley Dredge who jointly leads the way under the picturesque backdrop of the Swiss Alps. The consistent journeyman pro hasn't won on the European Tour since the 2003 Madeira Open but does lie in 47th in the European rankings and is certainly capable of a decent finish here in what is a considerably weakened field. Despite his strong position at the top, he is still available at 6/1 with bet365 and Stan James, which is a good price for a tournament leader at the half way stage but with little pedigree and winning experience it would be a chance to take backing him for outright victory. South African Andrew McLardy and Marcel Siem of Germany sit alongside Dredge on 7 under par after excellent second rounds of 65 and 67 respectively. Siem; a tall 26 year old from Düsseldorf has only one tour win to his name back in 2004 at the Dunhill Championship so he will be looking for a result this week to boost his standing in the rankings where he currently languishes in 92nd and in need of a performance. His odds are 8/1 with bet365 and Stan James. McLardy, who despite being on the same score as his German rival is much better value with those same firms at a comparatively huge 16/1. However, he is ranked even lower than Siem at 112th and has never won on the European Tour, so he may be a front runner to avoid in the betting as he has yet to show he can get over that illusive finish line in first place, but if you fancy the chances of him breaking his duck then its certainly value.

Ominously lurking is last year's winner and pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia, who is just two shots off the pace at 5 under par. The young Spaniard obviously feels at home at this venue and not just because of the fact that he has a house here, which is situated a short walk from the first tee but he was last year's winner. Garcia, who is the current world number eight and is set to be Europe's star of this month's Ryder Cup has to be the obvious pick to claim this title against this field, even though he is two shots behind, he is within pouncing distance and the inexperienced front runners will not like him breathing down their necks for the next 48 hours and 36 holes. The bookies agree and he is quite short at a meagre 2/1 with bet365 and Stan James.

English interest lies with young Oliver Wilson from Nottinghamshire who is well placed at -5. As well as being my county foursome's partner for five years (chirp), Oliver is an extremely talented player who, although has struggled a little bit to find his feet since graduating to the full tour last year is very capable of winning. He made three top ten finishes in his fledgling year on tour and in early 2006 narrowly missed out to fellow Englishman Paul Casey in a play-off for the Volvo China Open, so he could go close here and could be worth a punt at around 33/1 with Betfred and Stan James.

Further down the field its worth looking at the betting as the scoring is very tightly packed and any of around 40 players still have a chance in this event as the top 45 are only separated by 7 shots. McLardy has shown today that low scores are possible with his magnificent 65 and this event has a history of low scores; in fact it holds the record for the venue to hold the lowest score on the European Tour of 60, which Jamie Spence (currently at -1) managed in 1992 to emerge victorious after being miles behind going into day 3, so it is possible. If you fancy a repeat of this extraordinary feat then he can be backed at 125/1 with bet365 and VC Bet. Johan Edfors, three time winner on tour this year is back at -2 and might be worth a speculative venture at an enticing 80/1 with Stan James, whilst ex-Ryder cup player Ignacio Garrido of Spain has a chance at -3 and can be backed at 100/1 with VC Bet.

Good Luck!

Ed note: Make your golfing bet at VC Bet

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