The Barclays Scottish Open

Barclays Scottish Open

I turn my large piggy eyes towards golf this week, and the Barclays Scottish Open. The Scottish Open is one of the most prestigious events on the European Tour, and as usual, scores of the best players in the world head over as part of their preparation for next week’s Open Championship at Royal St George’s. The ironic thing is that the course may bear little in common with next week’s course.

There is a new venue for this year’s event. Loch Lomond is suffering from financial irregularities, and Castle Stuart Golf Links hosts for the first time. Castle Stuart, near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, should suit long drivers, especially as it is set up with wide fairways, and less punitive rough or water than might be expected, meaning you can be a bit wayward off the tee. With this in mind, our selection should be pretty long off the tee, with impressive iron and short games, and be able to string low rounds together.

The field is world class, with Donald and Westwood battling it out once again for the rankings top spot. McDowell, Mickelson, and Matt Kuchar are all at the top of the betting, as well as names like Goosen, Rose, Fisher, Harrington and the Molinaris. The Scots have some serious contenders this year, with Paul Lawrie, who won in Andulucia recently leading the list. Martin Laird, who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational the same week comes home from the PGA Tour. Richie Ramsay and Steven Gallacher have contested at the right end of leaderboards in recent weeks. Even the Ryder Cup Captain and patriarch of the European Tour, Monty, has shown hints of a return to form in recent weeks.

The wildcard for this event is the weather, and it could pay to keep a sharp eye on the forecasts. As always in Britain, the temperamental conditions mean that every player is at the mercy of the wind and rain, and we may get into a situation where half the field get to play their opening two rounds in perfect conditions, and half may face storms. Generally, the weather tends to favour early tee off times, but delays can cause havoc with the schedule. The far-range forecast is for rain, so if betting in play, try to ensure you keep onside those playing in the most advantageous weather.

My number one pick for the event is RETIEF GOOSEN. Goose has been in fine form recently, with a number of decent finishes on both sides of the tour in recent weeks. Goose came 3^rd in the Fedex Classic at the start of June, before a decent run in the US Open and then a 3^rd place finish in the BMW Classic last week. He has the good all round game to challenge here, and although it is a while since he has won, he does have a good record in the Scottish Open, winning the event in 2001, and coming 6^th two years ago. Goose wont mind if the wind blows and is available at 28/1 with Paddy Power paying the top 6 places and this gerbil thinks that’s a standout bet.

PETER HANSON is rapidly becoming a top player, was boosted by his Ryder Cup debut last year and has the iron game to make a challenge in a top event. He did well in the Welsh Open back at Celtic Manor, finishing 4^th before a superb 7^th in the US Open. After a week off Hanson missed the cut in France last week, but should be primed for a big challenge here. Hanson has a best finish of 13^th place in this tournament, but should be suited by the course and is a good shout for this week at 40/1 with Boylesports, again with 6 places paid.

JOHAN EDFORS is a player who is bang back in form. The three time European Tour winner, like Hanson, didn’t have a great time in France but his form before that has been impressive. 7^th in the BMW was followed by 4^th in Wales and then 19^th in the US Open. Edfors will have happy memories of the Scottish Open as well, winning it in 2006 with a final round 2006. Edfors is a best priced 80/1 with Will Hill.

RICARDO GONZALEZ didn’t fulfil our hopes in Germany but is worth sticking with. The Argentine was  4^th in Wales, and has a game based on length and touch that should be perfect for Inverness. Gonzalez was 6^th in 2002 and is worth a shot at the price to contend again at 200/1 with Bet365, again with 6 places paid.

Lastly, DANNY WILLETT is a player who hasn’t really achieved what he should have. Willett won the English Amateur Championship at Royal St George, as well as the Yorkshire Amateur Championship and being named as the World No. 1 Amateur. Willett hasn’t really hit the heights in 2011, after an impressive debut year in 2010, where he finished runner up to Martin Kaymer in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and had six other top 10s. Willett showed some signs of a return to form in recent weeks, contending in the BMW before fading away to 24^th. He is far too good to continually stay away from the winners’ rostrum, and his long game could suit Castle Stuart perfectly.

I also recommend backing Edfors and Willett in the first round leader market.

I will post my write up for the Open Championship directly following the Scottish Open, but I will be recommending bets on Steve Stricker (currently 40/1) and Matt Kuchar (currently 50/1).

Barclays Scottish Open

3 pts e/w Retief Goosen 28/1 Paddy Power (6 places)

2 pts e/w Peter Hanson 40/1 Boylesports (6 places)

1 pt e/w Johan Edfors 80/1 Will Hill

.5 pts e/w Ricardo Gonzalez 200/1 Bet365 (6 places)

.5 pts e/w Danny Willett 150/1 Totesport

First Round Leader
.5 pts e/w Johan Edfors 66/1 Skybet
.5 pts e/w Danny Willett 125/1 Skybet