There’s a quality field assembled at Loch Lomond Golf Club, with three of the world’s top-six players teeing up on the bonnie banks.
The Course: Loch Lomond Golf Club (par-71, 7,149 yards)
This is a picturesque American-style target course with generously wide fairways, giving the players the chance to set up birdie / eagle chances with accurate iron play. The greens are bent/poa and are always in immaculate condition. The courses only defence is the wind. If it blows, it is a difficult course. However, in calm conditions, it is a birdie-fest. There are only three par-5’s - 3rd, 6th (at 625 yards) and 13th – and two driveable par-4’s, the 9th and 14th.
Ross’ Top Tip – Ernie Els @ 11/1 bet365
Not very original I know, but his accurate iron play and length are tailor-made for Loch Lomond, as shown by his record – winner in 2000 and 2003 and three other top-three finishes (including 3rd last year) from just eight starts. This is clearly one of his favourite stops in the golfing calendar, so he’s worth a saver at the very least.
Next Best – Darren Clarke @ 55/1 Paddy Power (1/4 odds, SIX places)
Hard to catch right, but Dazzler simply loves it around here – 5th in 2006, runner-up in 2005 and 2003, and 7th in 2001. Plus, after missing out when trying to qualify for the Open, he can still book his place in next week’s field by winning here, which is a massive incentive. Paddy Power go 55/1 and that is too good to resist, especially as they're offering six places this week.
Outsider – Johan Edfors @ 100/1 Boylesports (1/4 odds, SIX places)
I’m going to give the Swede one last chance as he’s a past winner here. I fancied him strongly last week only for him to miss the cut, which might have been as a result of tiredness after successfully coming through 36 holes of Open qualifying on the Monday. Last week aside, he has been scoring consistently well all season and he currently sits third in the GIR (greens in regulation) category for Europe, so a title tilt would come as no surprise. He's 100/1 with Boylesports and that's handy as they're also offering six places.
Tournament Lay (Betfair) – Colin Montgomerie
Will be fancied by many this week, but I can’t have him. True, he won here in 1999, but his most recent starts have been dire by his own high standards – tied-71st (most recent), tied-24th, 18th, 34th and 50th. These days, his putting is simply not good enough to contend, so lay him to the hilt.
Ross’ 72-Hole Match Bet – Ian Poulter to beat Colin Montgomerie @ 10/11 Skybet
Recommended Bets:
Ernie Els 2pts each way @ 11/1 bet365
Darren Clarke 1pt each way @ 55/1 Paddy Power (1/4 odds SIX places)
Johan Edfors 1pt each way 100/1 Boylesports (1/4 odds, SIX places)