Furyk tipped to keep his cool

In a year which has produced three first-time Major winners, this week's USPGA throws up the possibility of a repeat of 2003, when rookie winners swept the board, but there is a menacing presence lying in wait to take the scalp of those would-be winners - and his name is not Tiger Woods. The defending champion certainly looked back to his best with his win at Firestone CC at the weekend. A last-round 65 blew all challengers away as the World No1 stormed to a breathtaking eight-shot victory. It was like watching the Tiger of old, which is why the odds on him winning have a depressingly familiar look about them. He is 9/4 with Sporting Odds to claim his 13th major. However, it could be that Woods has shot his bolt a tad early with his win in Akron? This is only the fourth time in his eleven years as a pro that he has come to the USPGA Championship without a major win in the year and as Southern Hills is one of the few courses on the planet that has been kind to Tiger, whose four straight major wins ended with a 12th-place finish at the US Open in 2001, now is the time to sidestep the favourite - unlike last week when we tipped him to come good. This tournament is also unlikely to produce a winner for Europe. If you thought eight years was a long time to wait for Padraig Harrington to win The Open, it is 77 years since a European lifted the Rodman Wanamaker trophy. Over the last eleven years the last major of the year has been the preserve of Americans, with the exception of Vijay Singh, who won in 1998 and 2004. Indeed, the Fijian will fancy his chances this time around after a year in which he has won two tournaments and managed six top-ten finishes, the most recent a second-place in the Canadian Open. He is 25/1 generally. But it is impossible to overlook Jim Furyk, who clinched the Canadian Open on his last sortie and has managed five top-fives in the last seven tournaments. He pulled out of Firestone with a back problem but was probably due a break and will relish the thinking man's course that is Southern Hills. The Floridian will be untroubled by the searing heat and is also an excellent putter - an essential prerequisite on the undulating Oklahoma greens. Providing his back holds up 22/1 represents excellent value. Verdict: 3pts Jim Furyk e/w @ 22/1 (Sporting Odds)