This week, the European Tour heads to China for the inaugural BMW Masters. The tournament begins on Thursday 25^th October, with the fourth and final round being played on Sunday October 28^th. All the big guns from Europe have chosen to play this event rather than in America and Rory McIlroy has even turned down the lure of the Grand Slam of Golf to take part in the BMW. McIlroy was the champion here last year when the tournament was known as the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters. The field has increased from 30 to 78 this year and it is now exclusively a European Tour event whereas last year it was co sanctioned with the Asian Tour. The purse has increased from $2m to a massive $7m.

The Lake Malaren Golf Club in Luodian, Shanghai in China plays host to the 2012 BMW Masters. The course stands at 7,585 yards in length and has a par score of 72. This is a Jack Nicklaus Legacy Golf Course and the first of which to open in Asia. The course has a variety of features with some  very beautiful and dramatic golf holes. Although the tournament has changed name this year, Rory McIlroy comes here having a victory in last last equivalent event, the Shanghai Masters. His winning score of -18 for four rounds shows that the course is definitely an exciting prospect this time around and there are likely to be plenty of birdies to be made.

Betfred make Rory McIlroy (pictured above) their 9/2 market leader, and it is easy to see why. The world number one has been in superb for this season and has already shown exactly what he is capable of on this course. I personally will be looking for bigger odds than that where my selections are concerned, but I’d expect there to be plenty of money for the young Irishman this week.

My first selection at ridiculously big odds has to be Graeme McDowell. A 35/1 chance for this BMW Masters, McDowell has been the most consistent player of the year when it comes to Majors having finished 12^th at the Masters, 2^nd at the US Open, 5^th in the Open Championship and 11^th in the PGA Championship. He is definitely overdue a win on Tour and he looks a solid each way bet to me.

Another 35/1 chance who is often overlooked by pundits is Swede Peter Hanson. Hanson has a total of five wins to his credit on the European Tour and as recently as September won the KLM Open. Hanson also recorded his best finish at a Major Championship this year when tied for third at the Masters. Each way, he should certainly give us a run for our money.

Back Graeme McDowell each way @ 35/1 with Betfred

Back Peter Hanson each way @ 35/1 with Betfred

BMW Masters Odds (Prices from Betfred)

McIlroy, Rory 9/2
Westwood, Lee 8/1
Rose, Justin 9/1
Donald, Luke 9/1
Oosthuizen, Louis 18/1
Colsaerts, Nicolas 20/1
Poulter, Ian 30/1
Schwartzel, Charl 30/1
Grace, Branden 30/1
Molinari, Francesco 30/1
Stenson, Henrik 35/1
Hanson, Peter 35/1
McDowell, Graeme 35/1
Olesen, Thorbjorn 35/1
Coetzee, George 40/1
Fisher, Ross 40/1
Yang, Y.E 45/1
Casey, Paul 45/1
Kaymer, Martin 45/1

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