Lee Westwood has won on each of his last three starts in Asia
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Click here to bet on the Shanghai Masters and Andalucia Masters at bet365
Less than a week after Luke Donald's remarkable PGA Tour Money List triumph, fellow Brits Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood go for the biggest winner's cheque in the sport ($2 million) at the Shanghai Masters.
McIlroy's decision to leave long-time agent Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler in order to link up with Horizon Sports Management adds an intriguing sub-plot, with Westwood still signed to Chandler's stable.
The issue could prove an unwanted distraction for McIlroy, who is already likely to be frazzled after so much recent travel. He faded alarmingly at the Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda last week, falling from a share of the lead to finish third - then he jetted off to Turkey to meet up with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, before heading to Shanghai.
Williams' wagers
- Lee Westwood to win Shanghai Masters - 11/2 at bet365
Graeme McDowell E/W to win Andalucia Masters - 20/1 at bet365
The circumstances seem too chaotic for McIlroy to turn up and produce a faultless performance to conquer the 30-man field. Westwood, on the other hand, looks seriously tempting: he has won each of his last three tournaments in Asia, the Indonesian Masters, Ballantine's Championship and China Golf Challenge.
There's no doubt he is full of confidence when playing in Asia - he has called for a major tournament to be played on the continent - and at 11/2 against an abridged field, it seems too tempting to pass up.
Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia returns to action at the Andalucia Masters, one week after ending a long winless drought at the Castello Masters. Understandably he heads the betting, but after three winless years I can't envisage back-to-back triumphs - plus no Spaniard has ever won a strokeplay event at Valderrama.
Defending champion Graeme McDowell looks overpriced at 20/1 on a course that suits him perfectly, with narrow fairways and small greens to aim at. He is fifth on tour in the greens in regulation (GIR) standings, and 16th for putts per GIR - two crucial statistics to consider.
And although it's been a tough year for McDowell - it was always going to be after his 2010 heroics - he was third at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship earlier this month, firing all four rounds in the 60s.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Josh Williams
Josh Williams is an assistant editor of ESPN.co.uk
