The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 13 July 2010 /

Form is temporary, class is permanent. Could Tiger Woods get off to a fast start?

When assessing who to back in this market the sensible first step is to establish which side of the draw will get the best conditions but I'm already confused. Weather forecasts are the bane of the golf punter's life and from my experience, they're very rarely correct for links golf. It looks like there's going to be some wind and rain throughout all of Thursday...but there's every chance that the forecast will be wildly inaccurate, so I'm just going to ignore it.

Last year, I backed Graeme McDowell at [70.0], as he'd finished atop of the field after round one in both 2006 and 2008. He was again considered this year, but I'm going to swerve him, as I just feel the weight of expectation after his US Open win is too heavy.

Steve Stricker has to be considered a contender for the title, coming here fresh off his win at the John Deere Classic on Sunday, but I think he could be too drained to stand up to a full gruelling week. He's often a very fast starter though and with the adrenalin still pumping after his win he could be a good bet for this market. To back up my theory, when he won the John Deere last year he turned up at Turnberry and opened up with a first round 66, which saw him sitting in fifth place, but he flopped badly on the Friday, shooting 77 and dropping to 53rd. I'm tempted by Stricker but the best bet could well be the world number one...

A leap of faith is required maybe, but that old adage that form is temporary, class is permanent might just be muted around Fife come Thursday night. Tiger Woods loves St Andrews, really loves it, and if he's going to salvage anything from his annus horribilis it could be this week.

When he won here in 2000, he was a shot out of the lead after round one and when he followed up five years later he led from start to finish and I won't be at all surprised if he gets off to a flyer again.

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