Lee Westwood lost his world number one ranking last week in the worst way possible – a sudden death playoff. The fact that Luke Donald is a fellow Englishman probably helped and the two have had a good tussle for that number one spot for several months now. Westwood is back this weekend in the St Jude Classic while Donald takes a break. A win for Westwood could see him reclaim that number one position – it will make the US Open an interesting battleground with more than just the title on the line.

Online bookmakers have made Westwood the 7/1 favourite to win at St Jude with David Toms the next best at 11/1. Betting on this tournament suggests that, aside from Westwood, it’s wide open with any of a dozen players considered good chances. Sergio Garcia has shown some glimpses of form recently and he is being quietly tipped to figure in the finish. At 25/1, he makes a good each way bet. In fact, outside the favourite, they all make good each way prospects.

Padraig Harrington is an interesting starter in this event. Having had a great 2009, he has failed to kick on and become a regular winner. He feels he has turned the corner and this event could set him up well for the US Open. Having failed to make the cut in some events over the last 12 months, he will need to improve significantly before we could tip him to figure in the finish. Bookmakers agree posting him as long as 40/1 in some markets.

There are a number of golfers whose form hasn’t been great, but who could do well in this event. Robert Karlsson, Retief Goosen, and Geoff Ogilvy are all around the 33/1 mark in betting so the odds are perfect for an each way bet. Each way on this event is paying 1/4 the odds for a top five finish. We like Ogilvy, Garcia, and Westwood in that order – it promises to be an interesting tournament from a golf betting point of view.