Lynn it to win it at Gleneagles

David Lynn can capture his first title in four years at the Johnnie Walker Championship this weekend as he returns to the Gleneagles Hotel that has served him well in the past.

While the lanky Englishman finished 26th when the tournament was held in June last year, he came runner-up to Emmanuele Canonica in 2005, fifth the previous year and 16th back in 2002. Whether it is the famous hospitality of the Gleneagles Hotel – they have a tendency to recommend a dram of scotch with just about any meal you have – or the set-up of the course that inspires the lad from Stoke-on-Trent, he clearly takes well to the Highlands track.

What's more, historically he has always played well at this time of year. It was in August when he last won on the tour and this time last year he was finishing seventh at the KLM Open and 13th at the subsequent BMW. His second at the Perthshire course in 2005 also came in August. Lynn is typically coming to the boil nicely following his 12th-place at the KLM last time out and at 50/1 with SportingBet is an absolute each-way steal.

Paul Casey will be many people's choice to successfully defend the trophy at a venue where he is a two-time winner but his negligible form makes his best priced 9/1 odds far too skinny. Championship chairman Colin Montgomerie represents better value at a course where he came fourth last year. The proud Scot will be hugely motivated to put on a good display in front of his home supporters and add this trophy to his 1999 Loch Lomond and 2005 Alfred Dunhill Links successes.

In a year in which he has fallen short in the Majors, Montgomerie is still a contender, as he proved by taking the Smurfit Kappa European Open in July. The 2014 Ryder Cup course will suit him, which is probably why the bookies make him second favourite at 16/1.

Another Scot who represents excellent value is Alistair Forsyth, who loves coming to Gleneagles. He came sixth here last year, was runner-up in 2003 and is walking tall after shooting a 66 in his third-place finish at the KLM Open last week. "I have done well at Gleneagles a few times in the past. It is one of those courses I have played well on and it is one of those tournaments I look forward to," he said this week.

Verdict: David Lynn 2pts e/w @ 50/1 (Sportingbet); Colin Montgomerie 1pt e/w @ 16/1 (General); Alistair Forsythe 2pts e/w @ 35/1 (General).

(Editor's Note: will David Lynn upset the odds? Check out the latest Johnnie Walker Championship prices on Sportingbet!)