Golf – Free Scottish Open Preview

Wed, Jul 7, 2010

by James Cochrane

The Scottish Open at Loch Lomond is one my favourite events on the European Tour calendar not only because it is a great four days of golf but it means we are only a week away from The Open.

A strong line up will take to the course tomorrow and unsurprisingly Phil Mickelson heads the market. The Masters champion is sure to prove popular with all the fans but I’m not convinced he will walk away with the spoils. Ernie Els is also sure to be popular with the punters and has a great chance in my book but I don’t really want to be backing him at 12/1.

The first player that takes my fancy is Graeme Mcdowell and quite simply, he has to make the shortlist. The US Open champion has taken a well deserved break since his success at Pebble Beach and although that win would have sapped the energy out of the Northern Irishman, he will be refreshed and ready to tackle the picturesque Loch Lomond once more. Mcdowell is in the form of his life, he finished fourth at the Madrid masters at the end of May before going on to win the Celtic Manor Wales Open which led him onto the US Open for the biggest victory of his career. It’s no surprise his stats are strong, his GIR stands at 74.44 and his driving accuracy at 67.14 and if he maintains that level of accuracy then he will go close this week. To top things off he has solid course form here, he won the event in 2008 and finished 11th in 2007 and also practises here throughout the year. He looks a solid option at 22/1.

Bettrends Advice

Graeme Mcdowell – Each-Way – 22/1 (Betfred)

I have always followed Soren Kjeldsen and he is a golfer I have a lot of respect for, he is only 35 and I still expect him to win some big tournaments. Soren has been in solid form this season and without really contending at the top has shown a sign of what he is capable of. He has only missed one cut all season and has consistently finished around the 25th-30th mark, suggesting he needs that one extra push to make it to the top. I believe Soren has the game to compete at this level and on this type of course and this is backed up as he finished 4th here last year which was followed by a 27th place finish at The Open. He finished 38th in 2008 and 11th in 2007 so I see no reason why he would not be relishing returning to the course.

Bettrends Advice

Soren Kjeldsen – Each-Way – 50/1 (General)

Another outsider makes my list in Raphael Jacquelin. Raphael comes to Scotland in good form, he started the season in fairly slow fashion but in recent weeks has recorded some respectable results. In his last nine starts he has recorded six top 20 finishes which includes a second place at the Saint-Omer Open and a third at the Open de Espana. It is important that he is coming here in good form but the fact he finished 2nd here last year and 9th in 2006 means he will have good memories of the course and this will hopefully push him on for another solid performance. I’ll be the first to admit Raphael can be a little inconsistent but he is a fine tour player and the 70/1 about him is a good price.

Bettrends Advice

Raphael Jacquelin – Each-Way – 70/1 (Bwin) 66/1 (General)

The final player that features is Francesco Molinari. Francesco is another player I am a big fan of and I would be surprised if he did not go on to win some of the biggest events around. Francesco can be a little inconsistent but he arrives in Scotland in good form after only losing out in a play off to Miguel Angel Jimenez last week. The Italian has recorded 6 top 15 place finishes so far this year and (other than the US Open this year) has a fairly good record in the bigger events. He finished 35th here last year which led to a 13th place finish at the Open but more impressively he finished 6th here in 2008. Due his inconsistency he’s not one to pile in on but I feel the 30/1 is more than fair.

Bettrends Advice

Francesco Molinari – Each-Way – 30/1