Barclays Scottish Open Sets Up the Main Course

The last big European golf tournament before the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, takes place from today at Loch Lomond, home of the Barclays Scottish Open. Loch Lomond is one of the finest inland courses for scenery in the world yet one of the most modern having only been built in 1994 to a design by Tom Weiskopf (Open Champion 1973) and Jay Morrish.

The Loch Lomond showpiece has become the traditional curtain-raiser for the Big One and is used by many of the top European Tour golfers to wind up for it, several of them having also competed at the K Club Smurfit European Open a week earlier.

The winner in Ireland this year was Stephen Dodd who, as a consequence, made a darting run up the Ryder Cup points ladder and now finds himself tantalisingly on the fringes. Expect Dodd to put all his efforts into improving the position at Loch Lomond. Despite the confidence that comes with a big win, he is currently priced at a long 66/1. A place bet at ¼ the odds might be worth a tickle but perhaps a better bet (only available at modest sums) would be the 7.2 (31/5) available on Betfair for a top ten finish (or place an order for a better price). That is always a good market to pick up the odd bargain, or indeed to lay a player you think is overrated!

Ernie Els, imperious golfer and champion here in 2000 and 2003 is quoted on the Barclays Scottish Open website as saying about Loch Lomond Golf Course, "It's in the top five of my worldwide golf venues. If I was to go anywhere in the world to play golf I love to come here." Here, once again, Mr Els will be playing. Despite an injury-disrupted recent history, Els cannot be discounted on a course that he loves. Indeed the bookmakers have him favourite at a general 12/1 (13.0).

Intriguingly, Els and Dodd are in the same three-ball for the pre-cut rounds, the first day at 13.10. Will this inspire Dodd to play well? It must help I would think.

Close behind Els in the betting are Luke Donald at 14/1, Retief Goosen and Tim Clark at 16/1, and Ryder Cup Points leader, David Howell at 18/1. Tim Clark is the reigning Scottish Open champion and plenty of keen money has been rolling in for him to repeat the trick. Pinnacle Sports stands out with a quote of 19.5 (18.5/1) against the general 16/1 available.

This being Scotland, we should not rule out Colin Montgomerie. He has been in steady, consistent, above average form and perhaps is due to convert one of his challenges at the winning post. Bookmakers are offering 22/1, but I would also be tempted to put an order in around 3.5 (5/2) on Betfair for a top ten finish.

Others to watch for are Darren Clarke, coming off a good performance in Ireland and Sergio Garcia, seeking Ryder Cup points. The general odds for these two are 25/1. An each way bet on either could be good value.

Ed note: Rely on Pinnacle Sports for a wide range of betting choices

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