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Those already qualified for next week's Open Championship have three choices to make this week, the Barclays Scottish Open, the John Deere Classic or a week off. Option A makes far more sense this year because the event has moved from Loch Lomond to the Castle Stuart Golf Links - a far more logical course on which to prepare for the game's biggest event.

As you'd expect, a stellar field lines up but how many of the big names are likely to contend is debatable. The world's one and two, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood will have their sights firmly set on Royal St George's and there's definitely a danger that they won't be fully wound up for this week's tournament and at single-figure prices they're both readily dismissed.

Of those at slightly bigger odds, Peter Hanson and Martin Laird caught the eye but I'm playing eight players at much juicier prices.

First up is Robert Rock, who was also a selection last week. He didn't play too bad in Paris, has a very fair links record (2nd at the 2009 Irish Open and 7th in last year's Open), and was very fairly priced at 85.0.

Another pick from last week - Thorbjorn Olesen, has now finished runner-up in two of his last three outings and I was aboard on both occasions! I felt I had to give him another go.

My only other pick at a double-figure price is Paul Krishnamurty's near miss from last week - Richie Ramsay. I'm speculating, but the Aberdonian could be one of only a few players to have already played Castle Stuart but even if he hasn't, growing up on the east coast of Scotland he's played plenty of links golf and he set a record score when he won the Scottish Strokeplay Championship at the links of Gullane Golf Club in 2004. He also won the East of Scotland Championship at Lundin that year - another fine links set-up. He's hit form and this track should be right up Ramsay's street.

One word of warning though, the last time I fancied Ramsay was at the Hong Kong Open back in November. He missed the cut and I had a heart attack! Fingers crossed for a far better outcome this time.

Paul's really knocking on the door with his Find Me A 100 Winner column and whilst I'm able to resist backing Alexander Noren, I can't say the same about Gregory Bourdy. Paul's absolutely right; he's too big at 140.0 and he's been added too.

There's a theme developing here...next up is American Brendan Steele - also backed at last week's Open de France! Whether he'll take to links golf or not, or whether he's ever played links golf, I've no idea but after a slow start in Paris is was impossible to fault him. He was always up against it after shooting 74 on day one so to finish in tied 7th was a great effort. He isn't in the field just to prepare for next week either, he hasn't qualified for the Open Championship...yet.

Ryan Palmer's another American in the field that looked over-priced to me. He finished tied 21st at the US Open and 10th at The Masters so he'll be looking forward to his first appearance in an Open Championship next week. He's a three-time winner on the US Tour and, being from Texas, when I backed him on Monday I thought he might handle the forecast windy conditions.

That forecast has changed now and it doesn't look too bad now, with showers and only moderate winds forecast. I may not have backed my last two picks had that been the forecast on Sunday and Monday but I'm sticking with them now I've done them. When Robert Rock lost the 2009 Irish open it was Shane Lowry, playing in the event as an amateur, who beat him in a play-off. His form has dipped over the last few weeks but a return to links golf could well ignite the spark.

Last up, at a huge price, is Thongchai Jaidee. He has a decent record at links golf, won't mind any inclement weather should the original forecast be right and he played well, for the first time in ages I may add, for a few rounds last week in France. He's a speculative pick to say the least but 270.0 was too big.

Selections:
Robert Rock @ 85.0
Thorbjorn Olesen @ 90.0
Richie Ramsay @ 95.0
Ryan Palmer @ 110.0
Brendan Steele @ 120.0
Shane Lowry @ 120.0
Gregory Bourdy @ 140.0
Thongchai Jaidee @ 270.0

Most of the players I've got in mind for next week are taking this week off and I'm not too disappointed by that. I understand fully why someone would want to play at Castle Stuart as it looks like an ideal warm-up but I wouldn't like to back someone for the biggy next week, only to see them get into a bruising battle in tough conditions there. Being in-contention is mentally and physically demanding and it could have a detrimental effect.

One thing is for sure though, I can't for the life of me see how playing in the John Deere Classic is good preparation and I was gobsmacked to see reigning Open champ Louis Oosthuizen in the field.

Steve Stricker's going for a third straight win in the event and he shot 60 on day one last year and didn't lead! Paul Goydos shot 59! This is a birdie-fest and as far removed from Royal St George's as it gets. I'm not mad keen on the event and I've struggled for a selection.

Stricker obviously commands respect, as does 2009 runner-up Zach Johnson and 2007 winner Jonathan Byrd but their prices all reflect that and the only player that looked glaringly well priced to me was Heath Slocum.

Heath clicked into form at the US Open where he finished in a tie for 11th and he followed that up with a respectable tied 17th at the Travelers Championship. He likes a birdie-fest and was 6th here in 2007 and 3rd a year earlier.

Selection:
Heath Slocum @ 55.0

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