I'm only slightly aggrieved that Danny Willett and Marcus Fraser fought out a play-off at last week's BMW International Open, both being available to back at triple figure prices before the off.
Both players have been regular selections of this column this season, in fact Willett was backed in consecutive weeks in April, and Fraser was backed in consecutive weeks at the end of May. Unfortunately they hadn't shown enough form in the previous six weeks to be included in last week's Form Guide, but those of you delving a little further back into the form book could easily have found them.
We have two great events this week but undoubtedly in my eyes the Irish Open at Royal Portrush takes centre stage, not just because of the attendance of Ireland's Major stars, but also because of the rain and wind that is forecast this week; a war of attrition should definitely pursue.
European Tour - Irish Open
(Tournaments used: BMW International Open, US Open, Nordea Masters, Wales Open, PGA Championship, World Matchplay Championship)
Ross Fisher (3)... 22 (Won 2010)
Graeme McDowell (2)... 19.5
Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (2)... 18 (T5 2010)
Richard Sterne (3)... 18
Paul Lawrie (2)... 17.5
Thongchai Jaidee (2)... 15
Paul McGinley (2)... 14
Peter Lawrie (2)... 14 (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
Of the players listed above I'm taking a plunge on four of them this week with Graeme McDowell and Paul Lawrie being my main selections.
Something I really like about McDowell is the fact that he's very open about the state of his game, and when he feels he is playing well then he is not afraid to say so. He did exactly that before I selected him to win the 2010 US Open and in recent weeks he has spoke about how comfortable he feels he is swinging it again.
Beaten only by Nicolas Colsaerts in the World Matchplay G-Mac went on to finish in a tie for second at the US Open a fortnight ago so his form is there for all to see. He plays tough courses well and knows how to keep the ball in play which is going to be key this week. You won't get rich backing him at 12.011/1 but he represents a solid selection and I'd much rather have him on side than Rory McIlroy at 8.07/1, who arguably doesn't play well in difficult conditions.
Paul Lawrie is another brilliant 'bad weather' player so I'm really hoping the forecasters have got the weather correct this week. Lawrie was a beaten semi-finalist at the World Matchplay before finishing second in the BMW PGA Championship, so again, he's a player bang in form.
Ross Fisher - a previous winner of this tournament - recorded his third top-10 finish in the month of June at last week's BMW International Open. He'll relish the conditions also and he looks like a player that is returning to the very top of his game. Keep an eye out also for Peter Lawrie, a man who has been on the fringes of contention recently and could go well at a big price.
Recommended Bets: Graeme McDowell @ 12.011/1, Paul Lawrie @ 30.029/1, Ross Fisher @ 22.021/1, Peter Lawrie @ 90.089/1
PGA Tour - AT&T National
(Tournaments used: Travelers Championship, US Open, St Jude Classic, The Memorial, Crowne Plaza Invitational, Byron Nelson Championship)
Marc Leishman (2)... 21.5 (T10 2010*)
Tiger Woods (1)... 18 (Won 2009)
Jim Furyk (2)... 16 (T10 2009)
Ryan Palmer (3)... 13.5
*2010 & 2011 AT&T Nationals were played at a different venue to 2009 and this year's Congressional venue
There was a time when I thought I'd never again back Tiger Woods from the outset to win a golf tournament at just 6.611/2 but he certainly looks the man to beat on recent form.
He looked in brilliant form during the first two rounds of the US Open a fortnight ago and the only surprise is that he lost his way over the weekend. Prior to that he won the Memorial Tournament and he was the last man to win this tournament when it was last played at Congressional in 2009. Thursday and Friday US Open Tiger will win this in a stroll.
If Tiger fails then any of the other three listed could take advantage. Last week's winner Marc Leishman has to be backed at 90.089/1 given that he'd shown good form prior to last week (tied third at the Byron Nelson) whereas Jim Furyk and Ryan Palmer continue to play consistently without getting their head in front.
Recommended Bets: Tiger Woods @ 6.611/2, Marc Leishman @ 90.089/1, Jim Furyk @ 20.019/1, Ryan Palmer @ 40.039/1