Golf Trading Professional John Trafford returns once again to share his tips. You can back, lay or just straight bet these if you like!

The two tournaments on the main Tours this week could not contrast more sharply in terms of quality of fields. The Northern Trust (formerly Nissan) Open in the States has attracted 12 players from the top 20 players in the current world rankings while the Avantha Masters on the European Tour has attracted just three players from the top 100. Even so both provide good betting opportunities and a winner is a winner even in a poor field.

Avantha Masters

The Avantha Masters is tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asia Tour and India Tour. SSP Chowrasia is the only Asian in the leading 25 players in the betting. As a former course winner he will have plenty of backers but even at this level he may come up short. The DLF Golf and Country Club in New Delhi hosts this tournament for the third successive year.The key skills to score well are driving accuracy and hitting greens in the correct number of shots. Richie Ramsay and Lorenzo Gagli are the only players in the field who finished in the top 10 for both accuracy skills last season and that gives them a decent opportunity at this level.

Trade recommendations

1 point back Richie Ramsay at 36.0.

4 points lay Richie Ramsay at 5.0 (if matched)

2 points back Richie Ramsay Top 5 at 8.6.

1 point back Lorenzo Gagli at 70.0

6 points lay Lorenzo Gagli at 9.0 (if matched)

2 points back Lorenzo Gagli Top 5 at 13.5

Northern Trust Open

This tournament has been played at Riviera since 1973, except in the two years that the course staged major championships. This is a traditional layout and not your regular US Tour challenge.The quality of the field suggests the players relish the conditions and enjoy the type of golf required to score well. This course is all about accuracy and traditionally players with a solid bank of course form do well. KJ Choi and Kevin Na fall within in that category as they have both made the cut here for the last five years.

1 point back Kevin Na at 42.0.

5 points lay Kevin Na at 5.0 (if matched).

2 points back Kevin Na Top 5 at 9.2.

1 point back KJ Choi at 44.0

5 points lay KJ Choi at 5.0 (if matched)

2 points back KJ Choi Top 5 at 11.0

For a more detailed analysis of this week’s tournaments please visit www.textbets.net under Golf.