The Memorial

It will be hard for this weeks contests to live up to the two cracking conclusions to the week just gone, but here's hoping. The climax to the BMW was the most entertaining final round of golf I have seen in quite a while. And the Colonial was far from boring either!

From a personal point of view, the pre tournament outrights didn't pay their way, but a profitable Sunday in the 2 balls, and an in running bet on Scott at 14s made it a profitable week.

Both Sundays winners reappear this week, and have obvious chances in their current form, but don't jump out at the prices. I spent the whole day yesterday trying to find a reason not to include Matt Kuchar this week. I consistently questioned his bottle over the past few months, and I still remain unconvinced. But his slightly fortunate win in the RBC Heritage, could be enough to help him over the line when in the heat of battle again. And there is every reason to expect a very prominent showing this week. He is a top 10 cashpoint lately, and even in years gone past when not so prolific, he has always played superb around here. It really is impossible to leave him out, at 16-1 and 6 places.

Justin Rose was tempting again this week, as he looks very close to his best, and has won here, but I was hoping for slightly bigger on him, so reluctantly leave him out. Instead I go again with Luke Donald. Like Kuchar, when Donald finds his form, he consistently bangs in high finishes. His touch on and around the greens at Wentworth was top notch. It was his relatively poor iron play that cost him the chance to convert more birdie putts, but the swirling and inconsistent wind may have affected his relatively new swing more than most. On a track which consistently rewards good putters, it is not hard to envisage him gaining a deserved victory this week.

Ryan Moore hasn't had a great season, and has rarely troubled the judge. But he has shown glimmers of late, and at 66-1 at a venue where he has plenty of previous, it is worth taking the chance he can putt it altogether this week.

It took an inspired Tiger Woods, and one of the shots of the season to finally defeat Rory Sabbatini here 2 years ago, and given his overall record here it a surprise that he doesn't play every year, and more of a surprise he is such a big price. He is not one of the games elite, and as such his recent form is not bad, 3 top 20s in a row of late confirming as much. An absolute pr*ck, but worth a punt!!

Charles Howell finds more ways to lose than Englands penalty takers, but at 80-1 with 6 places, he will more than justify his selection if finishing as bridesmaid again. He has looked to be approaching form again of late, and though he took time to adapt to this layout, he has got to grips with on his last couple of visits. A third place finish, and a charging Sunday at the Byron Nelson will send him here full of confidence.

Last man in was Brendan Todd. It may be asking too much of the new kid on the block to win 2 weeks out of 3, but it was also asking a lot for him to back up his maiden victory with a top 5 last week. He may very well be here to stay, and though making his first appearance here, he is putting like a man possessed, and like Donald, he may find that huge asset has him in with a winning chance again come Sunday evening.

1.8pts e.w Matt Kuchar 16-1 (6 places)
1.1pt e.w Luke Donald 28-1
.45pt e.w Ryan Moore 66-1
.35pt e.w Charles Howell 80-1
.35pt e.w Brendan Todd 80-1
.3pt e.w Rory Sabbatini 100-1

I haven't really looked at the Nordea Masters. It will be interesting to see how Jonas Blixt performs ahead of the US Open. Personally I hope he misses the cut to boost his price!!

One who I had to back was Paul Lawrie. He hasn't played much golf of late, but having backed him last week he never really got in contention, but produced a cracking 67 to finish on Sunday, and quotes of 66-1 are certainly worth taking.

.5pt e.w Paul Lawrie 66-1

Running Total +28.9 pts