Mike Norman / 27 January 2010 Free Bet View Market

"He (Henrik Stenson) won easily in 2006, finished 7th in 2007, and has finished runner-up in each of the last two renewals. Significantly, all four of those performances came a week after he made his season-debut at the Abu Dhabi Championship, just like he’s done this year (he finished tied 21st last week)."

With the last five winners being Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, and new kid on the block Alvaro Quiros, it's fair to say that the Qatar Masters is an event that not only attracts a high quality field, it's also one that is usually won by a class act.

Stenson ([12.5] to win this time), Goosen ([15.0]) and Quiros ([28.0]) have returned to the Doha Golf Club this week where they'll be joined by last week's winner Martin Kaymer ([13.0]), Race to Dubai champion Lee Westwood ([19.5]), and a clutch of talent from both the European and PGA Tours - Ian Poulter ([21.0]), Sergio Garcia ([27.0]), Paul Casey ([29.0]), Ross Fisher ([30.0]), Kenny Perry ([40.0]) and Camilo Villegas ([46.0]) to name but a few.

It's quite possible that the eventual winner will come from one of the above named players, but it would be incredibly folly of me not to mention Charl Schwartzel ([21.0]). The South African is chasing a hat-trick of victories after winning his last two events impressively, and although he faced nothing like the quality of opposition he faces here, his game is clearly in fine shape.

But my three to back this week - and apologies for not being very imaginative - are Stenson, Poulter and Garcia, whilst my lay of the week - and biggest lay of the season so far - has to be Lee Westwood.

The reason I'm laying Westwood has little to do with his disappointing missed-cut performance last week, but more to do with the fact that he has a very poor record in Doha (by his own high standards) and the fact that he rarely starts a season in tip-top fashion. He missed the cut here in 2006, finished 34th in 2007 and 27th in 2009. His best showing was a 5th place finish in 2008 but that was a year in which Westwood started the season in fine form. Last week's outing was hardly an indication that he is about to start this season in similar vein.

Westwood is available to lay at [2.9] in the Top 10 Finish market and at [5.4] in the Top 5 Finish market.

In complete contrast to Westwood's woes around Doha, Sweden's Henrik Stenson appears completely at ease with the demands that this 7,388 yard par-72 course presents. He won easily in 2006, finished 7th in 2007, and has finished runner-up in each of the last two renewals. Significantly, all four of those performances came a week after he made his season-debut at the Abu Dhabi Championship, just like he's done this year (he finished tied 21st last week).

I'm loathed to back a [12.5] shot in a high-quality, open-looking field, but Stenson's credentials are there for all to see. The world number eight clearly loves to do well around here and it's impossible not to see him being in the shake-up come Sunday.

Garcia is another player who has performed well here in the past (tied 7th the last two years) and he showed last week that his game is in good order, as too did Ian Poulter. Garcia has the ability to win any tournament on the planet if he can get his flat stick working, whilst in Poulter's case, I believe breaking into the world's top ten will do wonders for his confidence - not that he lacks any of that however!

In Thursday's 1st Round 3 Balls the one to catch the eye is the 08:50 Westwood ([2.52]), Ross Fisher ([2.8]), Kenny Perry ([3.1]) trio. I can't have Westwood after what I've wrote whilst I believe Fisher is a player that will need a few tournaments before showing his best. So that leaves veteran American Perry - who finished tied 6th at the SBS Championship a few weeks back - to hopefully get my punting week off to a great start. Good luck y'all.

Recommended Bets

2 pt win Henrik Stenson @ [12.5] in Winner market
1 pt win Ian Poulter @ [21.0] in Winner market
1 pt win Sergio Garcia @ [27.0] in Winner market
2 pt lay (3.8 pt liability) Lee Westwood @ [2.9] in Top 10 Finish market
2 pt win Kenny Perry @ [3.1] in 08:50 First Round 3 Ball