Bernhard Langer has won so many times in Germany - on nine occasions, including five victories in the German Open - that it's no surprise to see him quoted at 5 to 1 favourite to capture the title at the Sporting Club Berlin this week.
His recent form (affected by back and neck injuries) doesn't immediately promote such confidence. Langer is currently 21st in the European Order of Merit and his last top-10 finish was back at the end of June when he finished runner-up behind Sam Torrance in the French Open.
Langer, however, always appears to rise to the occasion when playing in Germany and, for that reason alone, he can't be discounted. And, with many of the tour's in-form players missing out (not one of the current top 10 in the Volvo rankings is playing), he won't be given a better chance to return to the winner's enclosure.
The best betting value would appear to come in each-way wagers with Gary Orr (33 to 1) and Craig Hainline (50 to 1) worthy of consideration.
5-1 - Bernhard Langer (Ger).
12-1 - Paul Broadhurst (Eng).
14-1 - Sam Torrance (Scot).
20-1 - Mark James (Eng), Paul McGinley (Ire).
25-1 - Gordon Brand Jnr (Scot), Jean Van de Velde (Fr).
33-1 - Michael Jonzon (Swe), Mats Lanner (Swe), Gary Orr (Scot), Phillip Price (Wal), Jarmo Sandelin (Swe).
40-1 - Brian Davis (Eng), Ignacio Garrido (Sp), Tomas Gogele (Ger), Padraig Harrington (Ire), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Jamie Spence (Eng), Sven Struver (Ger), Katsuyoshi Tomori (Jap).
50-1 - Ian Garbutt (Eng), Craig Hainline (USA).
