Darren Clarke is guaranteed a huge cheer when he is announced on the first tee of the Irish Open in Killarney in front of his own people as Open champion.
The 42 year-old, playing his first event since lifting the Claret Jug, is a top priced 33/1 with Sportingbet, with his compatriot and US Open champion Rory McIlroy an automatic favourite at a best-offer 11/2 with Skybet. There's a strong supporting cast, including last year's winner Ross Fisher (22/1 bet365), 2007 winner Padraig Harrington (18/1 Paddy Power) and last year's US Open winner Graeme McDowell, who is as big as 33/1 (Sportingbet) after some indifferent performances of late.
This week's venue, the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, is set alongside the banks of Lough Leane, which comes into play on holes 1, 2, 4 and 10; a stunning par-3 which plays straight out towards the water. It's a 'second shot course' and, if the wind doesn't blow (not forecast to), scoring will be low, like it was last year when Fisher blazed a trail with a second-round 61. Both the two par-5's, the 7th and 16th, are reachable in two.
My Three Against the Field:-
Rory McIlroy @ 11/2 Skybet
With the weather set reasonably fair, this is a good opportunity for McIlroy to bounce back from his Open disappointment and he's a worthy favourite this week, albeit at a single figure price - that's something we will just have to get used to. The world No.4 is the class act this week in a field containing only two other members of the world's top-50 - GMac and Darren Clarke - and the course should be right up his street. Granted, he was only 35th here last year but no-one would argue that he isn't a more accomplished player now and, more importantly, the weather is expected to be better. Of course, a bigger price would be nice but when you consider he's as short as 8/1 for the US PGA Championship in a couple of weeks time, the 11/2 starts to look a shade of value.
Scott Jamieson @ 55/1 bet365
The 27-year-old Glaswegian is fast making a name for himself in his first season on Tour and a breakthrough win won't be too long coming. His big ambition is to play in the Masters, having spent four years at Augusta State, and he's going about it the right way with third place efforts in Spain, Munich and in the Scottish Open. I put him up for last week's Nordea Masters and, while I was disappointed he didn't make the frame this time, he still played solidly for 13th. I'm not going to desert him just yet and the 55/1 with bet365, who are paying out on the first six places (along with Boylesports and Paddy Power), will do nicely.
Richard Finch @ 55/1 bet365
The final pick goes to Finch, who you may remember won this title back in 2008 despite falling into the water on his final hole after playing his approach to the green. He's win-less since but has been playing well enough this season to suggest his turn is near and last week's effort when runner-up to Alexander Noren in Sweden was a bit special as he was the only player under par on the final day. Describing his closing 69 in windy conditions as "the best round I have ever played", the Englishman looks one to keep on the right side of in the coming weeks and the 55/1 on offer here (again with six places) looks more than fair.
Recommended Bets:
Rory McIlroy 4pts @ 11/2 Skybet
Scott Jamieson 1pt each-way @ 55/1 bet365
Richard Finch 1pt each-way @ 55/1 bet365
