There's a quality field assembled for the only pro-am event on the European Tour, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, played over the famous links of St Andrews (twice), Kingsbarns and Carnoustie.
Teams of one pro and one amateur play each course in rotation over the first three days, with the top-60 pros (and ties) and the top-20 teams after three rounds progressing to play the final round at St Andrews.
The Courses:
St Andrews (par-72, 7,279 yards) - The 'Old Lady's' wide-open fairways makes this the easiest course of the three. The 17th, the 'Road Hole', is a legendary par-4, while there are only two par-5's (5th and 14th).
Kingsbarns (par-72, 7,160 yards) - A difficult course which is exposed to the wind - forecast to blow hard on Saturday. There are lots of fairway bunkers so accuracy will be rewarded. There are four par-5's - the 3rd, 9th, 12th and 16th.
Carnoustie (par-72, 7,412 yards) - Famously used for the 1999 Open (lost by Jean Van De Velde) and again in 2007. It has just two par-5's (6th and 14th). As with all links courses, its best defence is the weather.
Ross' Top Tip: Rory McIlroy @ 12/1 Paddy Power
"One of the most talented players in the world right now"; not my words but those uttered by McIlroy's playing partner Graeme McDowell during last week's Vivendi Trophy - the pair played a pivotal role in securing a win for Great Britain & Ireland. Given that the Ulsterman's links credentials are well known - he burst on to the scene with third place in this event two years ago and finished eighth last season - and is coming into this in good form - third in the USPGA and seventh in the European Masters - he can be expected to go close this week.
Next Best: Chris Wood @ 35/1 Boylesports (1/4 odds, SIX places)
McIlroy was only denied top scoring honours last week by Wood, who is another player with proven links form - won the Silver Medal as top amateur in the Open two years ago, and claimed a second successive top-five finish in the third major as a pro this summer. Granted, he's blown a few winning chances this season but that's all part of the learning process and, with his confidence sky high after last week, I wouldn't be surprised to see him make the break-through this week. Boylesports' sixth place is a nice insurance policy, though.
Outsider: Paul Lawrie @ 66/1 Boylesports (1/4 odds.SIX places)
An Englishman, an Irishman and, for my final pick, a Scotsman (I'm not joking, honest). OK, it's been over 10 years since Lawrie lifted the Claret Jug at one of this week's courses, Carnoustie, and he hasn't troubled the judge since winning the first staging of this event back in 2001, although he went close when fourth in the 2007 version. However, he's shown enough this season under the tutelage of new coach Bob Torrance - third at Gleneagles being one of his best efforts - to suggest he can get himself back into the winner's enclosure The worse the weather the better he plays and Saturday (let's hope he makes it that far!) is forecast to be as bad as it gets, so why not this week?
Tournament Lay: Padraig Harrington - place market on Betfair
Has been playing well in the States without quite getting the job done, but he's had a busy schedule of late and I just wonder whether he'll be up for for rounds of pro-am golf in the worst the Scottish weather can throw at him.
Ross' 72-Hole Match Bet: Rory McIlroy to beat Padraig Harrington @ 11/10 Paddy Power
Recommended Bets:
Rory McIlroy 2pts each-way @ 12/1 Paddy Power
Chris Wood 1pt each-way @ 35/1 Boylesports (1/4 odds, SIX places)
Paul Lawrie 1pt each-way @ 66/1 Boylesports (1/4 odds, SIX places)
