FINAL RESULT: 0-3; -3.00pts

Howell mc
Poulter 22nd
Kjeldsen 8th

Aaargh! Only after the event has started does it become known that Howell and Poulter are carrying injuries into this event (shoulder and ankle respectively) and the player who was replaced by Howell in the 'Ryder Cup win' angle, Harrington, goes on to win by five shots at 22/1!

Outright plays (total stake per play: 1pt)

David Howell to win 20/1 e.w. @ Stan James, Sportingbet, Sporting Odds and BetFred
Four years ago, Harrington followed up victory in the Ryder Cup with a victory in this event as the adrenalin from The Belfry carried over into this week. He was considered for selection, but this will be his fourth rather than third consecutive week of tournament golf and he has not been very good from tee-to-green, so the 'Ryder Cup win' angle throws up Howler instead. He was 4th in his last European Tour start before the Ryder Cup, was 2nd heading into the weekend last week and can boast finishes of 3rd, 5th and 6th in the last five years of this event. Even last year, when he didn't finish so highly, he was leading the event after the 1st round. He'll get a well-earned rest after this event and will want to keep up his momentum.

Ian Poulter to win 20/1 e.w. available generally
Retaining Poulter as a selection after he finished 2nd, albeit a long way behind Tiger. This is an event dominated by home players - the five winners have all been Scottish, Irish or English - and that is to be expected when they are competing on Scottish links in October. But Poulter's form in Scotland does beyond his form in this event (16th and 3rd in the last three years) and at St Andrews (11th in last year's Open Championship) as he has finished 5th, 10th, 4th and 14th in his last four Scottish Opens. Add in his current form and the motivation of being overlooked for the Ryder Cup, and he should go close once again this week.

Soren Kjeldsen to win 100/1 e.w. available generally
Kjeldsen may not be a 'home' player, but his record in Scotland is worthy of note. He has made the cut in all four attempts in this event and improved his finishing position on every occasion, finishing 13th last year. Plus, he won the 2003 Diageo Championship around Gleneagles. And now having come nicely into form - he finished 4th in his last European Tour outing, the European Masters, ranking 3rd in greens in regulation that week - he certainly warrants shorter odds than 100/1.