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Andrew Johnston - 0.50 each way @ 125-1 (general 1/5 1234) Andrew Johnston - 1.5 points TOP-10 @ 13-2 (Betfair) Ryan Fox - 1.5points TOP-10 @ 11-2 (Betfair) Since 2012 the Scottish Open has had four seperate venues including this week at Dundonald, but only last year's winner Alex Noren has held on to a halfway lead at Castle Stuart. Indeed that venue has previously seen both Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson come from outside the top-10 at halfway, whilst only Jeev Milkha Singh has won from outside of the top two groups going into Sunday. Although we are at the mercy of the weather, it seems as though we can look a fair way down the leaderboard for the winner but in the hope that they find themselves handy after the next eighteen holes whilst also being of Major class, as befits the winner of the last four runnings. Rickie Fowler is quite rightly favourite. He has proven many times that he is a fine exponent of windy Links, won this event two years ago and is in great form on the PGA Tour. He has to go close this week and again at The Open in a weeks time, and that 16-1 for Birkdale has to come under pressure by the end of Sunday. Any 7-2 looks overs although this isn't the place to be tipping or betting at that sort of price. I'm tempted to have a few quid on Ryan Fox on the top-10 market given recent improving form. He will enjoy playing in any wind and has shown in recent events that he can challenge with the best we have. He is also slightly tempting at three figures for the outright market given a flying finish at the Hydro on the Challenge Tour as well as lately in Ireland and France, but as a maiden he may be found wanting at the business end and is passed over in that regard for the more tempting wager. I will take a chance however at another 100-1+ shot in Andrew Johnston, who will lack nothing in confidence if starting well and getting the crowd behind him. 'Beef' is unique in many ways but he is a player that enjoys the attention if starting well and will feed off any positive play after a good second round 68 saw him come from outside the cut-line to T20. His form is in-and-out but he looks as if he is coming to his best at the right time, with top-25s at Wentworth and at Le Golf National just lacking that consistency but he is now in a region at which he won his first event on the Challenge Tour, the catalyst for winning the 2014 OOM. His top-5 in Qatar and his impressive victory at Valderrama last season all indicate he will have no problems should conditions worsen and his form looks to be taking an upward curve. Sure, he isn't a standout when compared to the Fowlers of the world, but is extremely capable, has a tremendous attitude and is a workable price. The one show of 13-2 for a top-10 also looks to be far too big given his proven ability.
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