Favourite Luke Donald the standout bet for Scottish Open
Published:Luke Donald is huge 8/1 favourite to retain his Scottish Open crown at Castle Stewart Golf Links this weekend – and it’s easy to see why.
World No.1 Donald is the only player from the world’s top ten to make the trip for the championship, with the rest preferring to make their own preparations for the Open later this month.
Donald closed with a flawless 63 on the final day of a rain-shortened event last year and with Padraig Harrington second favourite at 16/1, it’s hard to pick any player to challenge Donald.
Harrington is still someway from his best and will do well to mount a serious challenge over the four days.
Further down in the betting, the older names such as Phil Mickleson, Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn have all shown glimpses of their best form this season and all can be backed at 25/1 to win the event.
However, with Els without a win since December 2010, Bjorn struggling to put four rounds together and Mickleson never the happiest of travellers, better value can be found elsewhere.
1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie has once again found his game and has been in fine form this season.
He’s had six top ten finishes this year, including a victory in the Qatar Masters back in February. He’s missed just one cut in 14 events and certainly looks worth an each-way punt at 25/1.
It’s Donald who is undoubtedly the man to beat though and, with so many of the world’s top golfers missing the event, he will take some beating at 8/1.
