Golf Form Guide: Stricker timing his FedEx Cup run to perfection

There's two big events on either side of the pond this week. One is stacked with world class players at the top of their form... the other one, isn't!

With FedEx Cup positions to jostle for in America and Ryder Cup points at stake, well, for one person at least, in Scotland then this week's golf action promises to be full of drama right to the very end. So let's get stuck in.

PGA Tour - The Barclays

(Tournaments used: Wyndham Championship, US PGA Championship, Bridgestone Invitational, Canadian Open, The Open, True South Classic, John Deere Classic)

Steve Stricker (3) 28.027/1 ... 25.5 (T5 2010, T5 2009)
Keegan Bradley (2) 30.029/1 ... 22
Rory McIlroy (2) 8.88/1 ... 21.5
Bud Cauley (3) 150.0149/1 ... 20.5
Scott Piercy (2) 140.0139/1 ... 19
Justin Rose (2) 25.024/1 ... 16.5 (T10 2011)

*number in brackets after a player's name is the number of top-10 finishes achieved in last six weeks/tournaments on tour
**information after a player's points relates to wins (W), top-five (T5) and top-10 (T10) finishes in corresponding tournament in previous three years (please note, The Barclays has been staged at different venues during the last three years)

From almost nowhere Steve Stricker has made his way to the top of the Form Guide ratings and looks well worth a bet for this week's first event of the FedEx Cup play-offs.

Stricker started the year in winning fashion but went off the boil during the spring and early part of the summer but he has bounced back to form in no uncertain terms in the last month or so. A fifth place finish at the John Deere Classic was then followed by a creditable performance at the Open Championship, and in the last fortnight he has finished runner up in the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and seventh at the US PGA Championship.

The Barclays is staged at different venues each year so there are no clues in terms of course form, but Stricker has at least finished in the top five of this event in both 2009 and 2010. His current form, and those past tournament performances, clearly suggest he peaks his game for this time of the year.

Keegan Bradley's year is almost a mirror image of that of Stricker's in that he started well before struggling after the Masters (his best finish in nine outings was a tie for 24th) before bouncing back to form recently. He won the Bridgestone Invitational and finished third in the US PGA, and if he turns up at Bethpage in a similar mood he should go well.

New kid on the block Bud Cauley is in the form of his life (which is saying much, granted) with three top-four finishes from his last four events. The strength of those fields weren't great, and this is a big step up in class so to speak, but you will do much worse than back a golfer in red hot form at huge odds of 150.0149/1. He looks over-priced to me.

Recommended Bets: Steve Stricker @ 28.027/1, Keegan Bradley @ 30.029/1, Bud Cauley @ 150.0149/1

European Tour - Johnnie Walker Championship

(Tournaments used: US PGA Championship, Bridgestone Invitational, Lyoness Open, The Open, Scottish Open)

Francesco Molinari (1) 11.010/1 13 (T5 2010)
David Lynn (1) 36.035/1 13 (T10 2009)
Alex Noren (2) 30.029/1 11
Nicolas Colsaerts (2) 15.014/1 10

The fact that David Lynn shares the top spot in my European Tour ratings clearly indicates that form is thin on the ground for this event.

Admittedly, Lynn's one good performance of late was in the US PGA Championship where he finished in an excellent second - albeit at a distance - to Rory McIlroy, so I will take a chance that he will gain confidence from that and go well at Gleneagles, a venue where he has performed well at previously.

As The Punter points out in his preview the Centenary Course will play very long over the next four days and backing a few big-hitters could be to your advantage.

Much improved Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts needs a top two finish to automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup and if the pressure of that prospect doesn't get to him then he is sure to go well. His odds are crampted, but he's the man to beat for sure.

Alex Noren can also send the ball out a long way and he is my final selection, though I must stress that my stakes are being kept to a minimum for this event - it's a tough one to call.

Recommended Bets: David Lynn @ 36.035/1, Alex Noren @ 3029/1, Nicolas Colsaerts @ 15.014/1