Tiger Woods has delayed his return for another week, but there is still a strong field gathered for this week’s event which is hosted by Jack Nicklaus.
 
The Course: Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, Ohio (par-72, 7,366 yards)
A Jack Nicklaus-designed course which has staged the Memorial since 1976. Its fairways are wide and forgiving but severe rough and 75 bunkers lie in wait for the wayward tee shot. Water comes into play on 11 holes. There are four par-5’s – 5th, 7th, 11th and 15th – but the toughest holes are par-4’s, including the revamped 17th with trees to the right that can cause a blind approach shot from that side of the fairway. The closing hole, which has a heavily-bunkered green, can also be testing. The greens are Bentgrass, below average size and quick.

Ross’ Top Tip: Ernie Els @ 25/1 general (34 Betfair)
Phil Mickelson is going for back-to-back wins and Betfred’s 7/1 is a fair price, but Els is vastly superior value at 34 on Betfair (25/1 in fixed-odds-ville). True, he was disappointing last week on his ‘home’ course at Wentworth, but it could pay to forgive him that missed cut. This week, he’ll be teaming up again with Butch Harmon and there were signs at the Players that their work together was beginning to bear fruit. Not forgetting the Big Easy loves Muirfield Village – won here in 2004 and was second in 2000 – so he looks a great back to lay proposition.
 
Next Best: Sean O’Hair @ 45/1 VCbet
Won the PODS Championship in March, and followed up with 3rd at Bay Hill before playing some excellent golf to finish tied 14th in the Masters. Went off the boil after that but there were signs last week that he’s back on song (shot 66-69 at the weekend) and this is his type of course judging by his progressive record here - 5th and 12th in last two years.

Outsider: Matt Kuchar @ 100/1 Boylesports
Has made the staking plan several times already this season and he’s worth sticking with in his current vein of form. The former US Amateur champion has posted three-top-10 finishes already this campaign, including ninth place last week and it’s only a question of time before he strings four decent rounds together to notch Tour victory No.2.
 
Ross’ Match Bet: Sean O’Hair to beat Fred Couples @ 10/11 bet365

Tournament Lay (Betfair): Kenny Perry
I wouldn’t be rushing to back the Kentuckian this week at around 25/1 as this is his sixth tournament on the spin and he has looked decidedly dodgy under pressure in his final rounds.
 
Recommended Bets:
Ernie Els 3pts @ 34 Betfair (Back to Lay)
Sean O’Hair 1pt each way @ 45/1 VCbet
Matt Kuchar 1pt each way 100/1 Boylesports