With many of the so-called "big guns" giving the British Masters at Woburn this week a miss (in typical preparation the week before a major), the new, slim-line Colin Montgomerie may believe it is an opportune time to return to winning ways.
Monty hasn't won since the Volvo PGA in the last week of May, almost 11 weeks ago, which is a long time by the big Scot's standards. However, odds of 7 to 2 (especially given such a barren spell) appear a mite on the tight side and, so, it may be better to side with the man who edged him out for this particular title last year.
On that occasion, American Bob May ended a long run of runners-up finishes by taking the title by a shot from Montgomerie. May had four rounds in the 60s over the Woburn lay-out and, obviously, has a liking for the course. At odds of 25 to 1, and with some good form on the US PGA Tour behind him, May is a decent bet to make a successful defence of his crown.
For each-way value, you could do worse than Paul McGinley at 40 to 1, who needs a solid showing to book his place in the World Golf Championship event at Akron in two weeks.
7-2 - C Montgomerie (Scot). 6-1 - B Langer (Ger). 16-1 - R Goosen (SA), T Bjorn (Den). 20-1 - S Leaney (Aus). 25-1 - P-U Johansson (Swe), B May (USA). 33-1 - M Gronberg (Swe), A Scott (Aus). 40-1 - P Lawrie (Scot), I Woosnam (Wal), J Sandelin (Swe), A Coltart (Scot), J Spence (Eng), S Tinning (Den), P O'Malley (Aus), P McGinley (Ire). 50-1 - J Moseley (Aus), P Fulke (Swe), G Orr (Scot), G Turner (NZ). Prices supplied by Ladbrokes Ireland.
