It is staggering to consider that any golfer would start one of the four majors at even money with his nearest rival quoted at 16/1 but that is the position in which Tiger Woods finds himself prior to the start of the US Open Championship at Southern Hills, Tulsa, Oklahoma on Thursday. The defending champion and golfer who has won each of the last four majors, Woods is once again in irresistible form.

In betting terms though many punters will be availing of the opportunity to back without Woods and, in this respect, Ernie Els at 20/1 looks decent value having finished closer to Tiger that any other golfer in last season's majors. Given that US Open courses traditionally boast narrow fairways and penal rough, a good short game is a prerequisite.

Nick Price, an exquisite iron player is worth an investment while at the longer odds, the excellent putting touch of Justin Leonard, showing a welcome return to form and the big hitting Argentinian Angel Cabrera are also worthy of support. From a European standpoint Miguel Angel Jimenez finished at the top in that category at Pebble Beach and represents excellent value at 20/1.

OVERALL

(all odds courtesy of Ladbrokes Ireland).

Evens - T Woods.

16/1 - P Mickelson.

20/1 - D Duval, S Garcia, V Singh.

33/1 - E Els, D Love.

40/1 - J Furyk, T Lehman, D Toms.

50/1 - J Parnevik, N Price, H Sutton.

66/1 - P Azinger, S Hoch, C Montgomerie, M Weir, L Westwood.

80/1 - P Harrington, D Clarke, R Allenby, T Bjorn, A Cabrera, M Calcavecchia, M Campbell, S Cink, J Durant, N Faldo, L Janzen, B Langer, J Leonard, JM Olazabal, S Verplank.

100/1 - Bar.

Without Tiger Woods

10/1 - P Mickelson.

12/1 - D Duval, S Garcia, V Singh.

20/1 - E Els, D Love.

25/1 - J Furyk, T Lehman, D Toms.

33/1 - J Parnevik, N Price, H Sutton.

40/1 - P Azinger, S Hoch, C Montgomerie, M Weir, L Westwood.

50/1 - D Clarke, P Harrington, M Campbell, M Calcavecchia, R Allenby, T Bjorn, A Cabrera, S Cink, J Durant, N Faldo, B Langer, J Leonard, JM Olazabal, L Janzen, S Verplank.

TOP EUROPEAN: 3/1 S Garcia. 7/1 J Parnevik. 8/1 L Westwood. 9/1 C Montgomerie. 12/1 T Bjorn, D Clarke, P Harrington, N Faldo, JM Olazabal, B Langer. 20/1 MA Jimenez, P Price.

TOP REST OF WORLD: 3/1 V Singh. 5/1 E Els. 7/1 N Price. 10/1 R Allenby, M Weir. 12/1 A Cabrera, M Campbell. 16/1 S Appleby. 20/1 C Franco.