/ Steven Rawlings / 23 July 2008 /

Some people may still be struggling to shake off their Royal Birkdale hangovers but if John Daly can gee himself up for this week's events then the rest of us should be able to.

I believe the expression is 'after the Lord Mayors show'. Pod's comfortable Open win is still very fresh and it's not particularly easy to fervour enthusiasm for either of this week's tournament's but I've tried and hopefully dug up a bit of value.

The Russian Open has one of the weakest fields of the season to date with Marcus Brier favourite at around [14.5]. He lost a Challenge Tour event in a play off last week in his native Austria, has been in decent form lately and has course form, but looks plenty short enough to me, as does second favourite Robert Jan Derksen. He finished runner up here last year and hasn't had a bad season to date but has just lost his way in the last few events. He looks a smidgen short, though he came close to being a pick.

The shortest priced picks are Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Danny Willett, both at [50.0]. Gonzo has stated that he enjoys a tree lined course and gained his debut win on a similar course when capturing the KLM Open at Hilversum in 2005. Given the strength of the field this week, [50.0] looked a fair price for the former world number one amateur, Willett.

I've taken [60.0] on last year's winner Per-Ulrik Johansson, which given his current form isn't a great price but he absolutely dotted up and I couldn't let him go un-backed.
Three rags make up the portfolio. Thomas Aitkin backed at [120.0] may have some momentum after shooting a spectacular 68 last Sunday. John Daly still has plenty of class and couldn't be left out at an average of [130.0], while Englishman Lee Slattery backed at [150.0] has some course form.

Selections:

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano at [50.0]
Danny Willett at [50.0]
Per-Ulrik Johansson at [60.0]
Thomas Aitkin at [120.0]
John Daly at [130.0]
Lee Slattery at [150.0]

The Canadian Open is one of the oldest events, dating back to 1904 and considering its unfavourable slot the field isn't too bad this year.

The event returns to the Glen Abbey course in Ontario, last used in 2004 when Mike Weir somehow failed to secure a home win in the events centenary year.

The Glen Abbey course was used almost every year between 1977 and 2000 so there's plenty of course form but most of it is pretty dated now.

The first six in the betting all played last week and that can't help their chances so I've scanned a bit further down the list for my picks.

First up is Fred Couples at [65.0]. Boom Boom's in decent nick this year and has plenty of form around this track. Not going through last week's mentally and physically demanding event will put him at an advantage to most of those ahead of him in the market.
Although he played last week I'm taking a chance on Sean O'Hair at [70.0]. He's already a winner this year, is a class act and appears a bit big to me.

Of my other picks, Steve Flesch played well enough last week to be supported. Jeff Quinney looks a big price, as I've a feeling the course may suit him and Alejandro Canizares may get inspired playing here, opposite the Russian Open, an event he won two years ago.

Selections:

Fred Couples @ [65.0]
Sean O'Hair @ [70.0]
Steve Flesch @ [120.0]
Jeff Quinney @ [120.0]
Alejandro Canizares @ [310.0]

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