Who will win the Australian Open?

Having the best Australian Open field in years, doesn't make picking a winner very easy.

I've been asked a number of times who I think will win the Australian Open this week but with the strongest field in a very long time, it's not easy to have any real confident answer.I'll humour you all and throw out my picks anyway followed by a few good bets and some dark-horses to win if you really want to have some fun and win big. A few comments first.

By his own admission, Jason Day will be rusty after very little golf over the past month. We know how good he is at stepping up for the big tournaments but I'm not convinced this week.

Geoff Ogilvy's form is still a worry too and is not in my picks. He is showing form more and more often and will go on a birdie run at some point this week but I'm not sure the overall consistency will be there for four rounds.

Tiger Woods may do well this week. Breaking away from the intense US environment surrounding each tournament he plays may make things a little easier for him. That's not to say there isn't a frenzy around him this week, he just seems a little more relaxed than usual. All the same, it is too obvious a choice to win for me to name him. 

My picks

Hunter Mahan

Definitely the in form American this week after good performance at the HSBC and a playoff loss to Bill Haas at the Tour Championship. I think he should be outright favourite and is my top pick this week.

Robert Allenby

This is just the sort of thing Allenby loves. Back to The Australian Open after a self-imposed exile. A win would shove it up everyone. He has form too. It is not often I believe a golfer when you here, "I'm playing well but just not scoring". In Allenby's case, it is the truth and he may grab a third Australian Open victory.

Matt Kuchar

The guy is so consistent, even if he doesn't win he will be thereabouts all week and it'll be nice to cheer along someone in contention.

Adam Scott

He is set up to win this and truly deserves his favouritism. The caddie comments won't disturb him and looks much more focused with Williams and a belly-putter in the bag. 

Nick Watney

Watney may fly under the radar this week with the presence of Woods, Scott and Bubba Watson but I think The Lakes course may suit his game.