Scottish Open Tip: Patrick Reed

Americans have won two of the last four renewals of the Scottish Open and since moving to links courses it has gained in cache as a genuine Open Championship warm-up. The strength of field has got better over the years and it’s difficult to look beyond the top of the market.

The top-3 of Fowler, McIlroy and Stenson all looks slightly on the short side and that serves to make Patrick Reed look comparatively good value. The 26-year-old struggled in the early part of the season but he’s starting to hit top gear. He’s made his last 8 cuts on the PGA Tour finishing inside the top-25 on seven of those occasions. A win is still proving elusive but it won’t be long before he scores again.

To his credit, Reed is happy to travel the world to play golf and almost took up European Tour membership at the end of last season. Twelve months ago he finished T10 at the Scottish Open before going onto finish T12 at the Open Championship. His low-ball flight is an advantage in the wind and he should be set for a good week. Back him at 22/1 with Paddy Power and get 7 places at 1/5 odds.