Malaysian Open: Alvaro Quiros could be the biggest threat to Lee Westwood

Ben Coley believes Alvaro Quiros and David Lipsky are the men to upstage holder and firm favourite Lee Westwood in Kuala Lumpur, while Anders Hansen is overdue a return to form.

Lee Westwood heads to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club bidding to defend his title in the Maybank Malaysian Open.

A switch in the schedule means only 10 months have passed since Westwood romped to a seven-shot success on his debut at the course, while back in November he finished 13th despite a slow start in the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic, which is now played on the same course.

Without doubt, Westwood is the man they all have to beat. His record in the Far East is outstanding and includes a victory in Thailand just six weeks ago, while last week’s seasonal return in Dubai offered great promise given that he tends to need a round or two to blow away the Christmas cobwebs.

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Already a well-backed 6/1 chance with Sky Bet, the price doesn’t look huge but the simple fact is that these events are perfect for Westwood who often produces his best golf when bossing weak fields on courses which play to his strengths.

Heading the dangers is Bernd Wiesberger following a trio of top-six finishes in the Middle East.

Like Westwood, Wiesberger is a winner in Asia and he was in a share of second behind the Englishman last season. There’s no reason to expect anything other than a bold shot but at just 10/1 he looks awfully short for a player who hasn’t won a title of any description in over two years.

Instead, Alvaro Quiros at around 66/1 may be the man to serve it up to Westwood if he can find some form with the putter.

The big-hitting Spaniard can attack the scoring holes here and has done so with some success already, carding a trio of top-30 finishes from his three visits to date.

Last year’s 13th might’ve been better were he not arriving on the back of an enforced 10-week break but following a stunning final-round 64 in Dubai on Sunday, his preparation this time around looks altogether more ideal. Remember, this is a six-time European Tour winner so beyond Westwood and Graeme McDowell there’s nobody here who is better at getting the job done.

David Lipsky is an American with Korean heritage and he has plenty of form in the Far East, having once secured Medallist honours at the Asian Tour Qualifying School.

Since then he’s gone on to win at that level but it was last September that he took a real step forward, securing the Omega European Masters title at the iconic Crans Montana.

Lipsky was third when a relative nobody on his debut in this event three years ago and having finished just outside the top 20 in much better company in Dubai, he looks a fascinating 80/1 outsider even if the battle is for second behind Westwood.

Finally, Anders Hansen has been ticking over nicely and this event looks a good fit for him to return to the top-end of the leaderboard. He can be backed at 66/1.

The Dane hasn’t won for a long time but two victories in the BMW PGA Championship demonstrate his quality and he has form at this course too, including when third two seasons ago.

More recently he’s made the cut in all four starts this season and is crucially fit and healthy once more, so watch for a solid week for a player who has got plenty of good form in Asia.

See all Sky Bet's latest odds for the Malaysian Open here