We are at that time of the year where golf and tennis play out their annual championship events. Last weekend featured the ladies world championship in tennis; this week it’s the men in the World Golfing Championships. The event is played in Shanghai this year and features the top 30 golfers from this year’s tour.

Rory McIlroy has only won the one Major this year despite promising much at the beginning of the year. Bookmakers have made him the favourite in golf betting for this event at 5/1 with fellow European Lee Westwood second pick at 9/1. Australian Adam Scott is the next best at 16/1 with the remaining players at 20/1 or longer. While the event is worth a casual £720,000, some of the top golfers have decided to stay away.

World number one Luke Donald is skipping this event to be at the birth of his second child, while Sergio Garcia, who has recently climbed back into the top 20 following back-to-back wins has decided to finish his year early. That still leaves the Charl Schwartzel, Darren Clarke, Keegan Bradley McIlroy, this year’s Major winners, in the event.

If you’re looking to have a bet, it may pay to look outside the top three. Simon Dyson is quoted at 50/1, yet he has had a lot of success in Asia before returning to Europe. He has won both the Irish Open and KLM Open and looks well suited to the Shanghai course. Others with good form coming into this event include Scott and McIlroy, the latter performing well to eventually win the Shanghai Masters.

McIlroy is inconsistent and generally doesn’t back up. We’re tipping Dyson at good odds ahead of Scott with Keegan Bradley (33/1) third. He is probably the most improved golfer this year and is one to watch for the future.