Tiger Woods is invariably favourite in the Top American Points Scorer market but he's only once landed the odds for backers and that was the last time he played in the competition in 2006.

In fact, many pundits believed the Americans benefited from his absence in 2008 and the general concensus is that he is not a team player. However, after a truly awful year by his standards, he arrives here with something to prove (both to himself and his captain) and that double determination to do well could see him deliver the goods. Certainly, all his talk this week has been about the 'team' and while he failed to qualify for last week's Tour Championship - surely a blessing in disguise as it allowed him an extra week to prepare - his most recent form (top-15 finishes in the first three FedEx Cup playoff events) suggests his game is coming round.

So, should we be lumping on at 11/2 (Skybet)? Well, even though there is a doubt about him playing five matches for the first time, he's still likely to see more action than most and that makes him a worthy favourite. There is a good chance he will again be paired with Steve Stricker (6/1 Blue Square), with whom he combined to win all four matches in last year's Presidents Cup. If they can get off to a winning start in Friday's fourballs, they could easily go on to bag another couple of points.

However, while Woods looks a shoe-in to be top American Wildcard (11/10 Paddy Power), I'm going to take him on in this market with the one other player likely to play in all five matches, last week's Tour Championship winner Jim Furyk, who can be backed at a standout 8/1 with Totesport (just 9/2 with Paddy Power). The experienced Philadelphian was probably going to play five matches anyway before he became FedEx Champion but now that seems certain and, after that brilliant bunker shot which left him with a tap-in for $11.35m, he will feel like he can beat anyone this week.

He'll certainly won't be fazed by Sunday's singles competition having lost just once in six matches and he'll be keen to improve his record of 12 defeats in pairs events, which is hard to fathom. As a straight-hitter, he really should have done better in foursomes, while his dependability off the tee in fourball play makes him the perfect foil for a more aggressive partner, which is most likely to be either Dustin Johnson or Bubba Watson this week.

Of the rest, Phil Mickelson is too inconsistent, Steve Stricker played a shocker last week and Stewart Cink has been largely out of form since he won the Open Championship last year. I can't have the five rookies either as they are unlikely to see enough action, which leaves Hunter Mahan (10/1 Ladbrokes), Dustin Johnson (10/1 Betfred) and Zach Johnson. Of this trio, the arrow-straight Johnson looks the best value at 14/1 (bet365) as he is a tough matchplay opponent.

Recommended Bets:

Jim Furyk 2pts @ 8/1 Totesport
Tiger Woods Top American Wildcard 4pts @ Evens Paddy Power