Live on Sky Sports 1: Thu: 14.30 & 20:00 Angus Loughran previews this week’s John Deere Classic and Scottish Open tournaments.
Paul Casey did us a big favour when winning the Irish Open two weeks ago at 50/1 and although he is only half those odds to win this week’s Scottish Open this may still represent decent value as Casey (25/1, Coral) is a class act, more than capable of back-to-back wins.
Moreover, Casey knows that a victory on Sunday is the only way he will play in the Open Championship next week at Muirfield, where ironically, in current form, he would be more than just one of the also rans.
Heading the market at Castle Stuart are Ernie Els (20/1, Paddy Power), Henrik Stenson (20/1, Betvictor) and Phil Mickleson, the latter a 20/1 shot at Skybet.
I also like the chances of young Italian Matteo Manassero; the BMW Champion will love the course layout and definitely stands out at 28/1 via Coral.co.uk.
Elsewhere, each-way punters seeking bigger odds could do worse than consider Marc Warren, who should have won here last year and also at Wentworth in May.
He has plenty of ability but just needs to learn how to get the job done when in with a chance and at 50/1 has a solid chance of making the frame, with most firms offering six places each-way. Indeed, it is worth keeping an eye on each-way terms at present as Paddy Power have already gone 7 places for next week’s Open Championship.
The John Deere Classic has been a fruitful tournament for Steve Stricker in recent years, the American having won it three times in a row from 2009, but that is factored into his price, with 7/1 the best available courtesy of Stan James.
Zach Johnson prevailed in a play-off last year and also placed in 2009 and 2011 so he warrants each-way support here at 18/1 (Betvictor).
Already a winner in 2013, Harris English is making his John Deere debut but will relish the track and is priced rather generously at 50/1 by Boylesports, while 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen at 25/1 with Ladbrokes is the final player in my short list.
If the South African gets hot with the putter he will be very hard to beat and the rest of his game appears to be coming together nicely ahead of next week’s Open.
Good luck
Angus Loughran
Compare all Golf odds and also keep up to date with our golf scores service.
