by JOHN ACTON , Racing Post

Brandt Snedeker, who was fifth in last week's Canadian Open, in action at the Masters

Acton's top tip Brandt Snedeker 35-1 The Buick Open loses its sponsor after this year's event but it's not all doom and gloom as the late entry of Tiger Woods has added some gloss to the tournament's ailing fortunes.

It's an unusual decision for Woods to change his schedule in the build-up to the final Major of the season and he will now play three consecutive events culminating in the USPGA Championship.

It can be argued that the world No. 1 is showing his support in recognition of the long-term endorsement he had with Buick, which ended in 2008, but the fact is he needs to play competitive Golf and a return to Warwick Hills can give him a much-needed confidence boost after failing to make the weekend at Turnberry.

His course form is superb, he shares the 18-hole record of 61 with Billy Mayfair, boasts victories in 2002 and the last time he played in 2006, and he hasn't finished higher than 11th from eight starts.

He's the most likely winner in a weak field but offers no value as he's still struggling for consistency since returning from knee surgery and a better strategy is to look for the solid each-way players to give him a run for his money.

Brandt Snedeker is one of the hottest tickets on the Tour at present and the 35-1 quote makes plenty of appeal for a player who has finished in the top-five in his last three US events including a share of second in the John Deere Classic.

He failed to handle the demands of links Golf when missing the cut at the Open but showed no ill effects of that experience when once again playing extremely well last week in the Canadian Open, staying on to grab a share of fifth. He deserves extra credit for that performance as the field was shortened at the halfway stage due to severe weather disruptions and he only just made the weekend.

He has limited course form but can be forgiven a poor performance last year as it was his first start after heroically battling to land a top-ten finish in the US Open. He's better judged on his share of tenth in 2007 and with his confidence high he's capable of giving Tiger a serious test this week.

Next best

Jim Furyk 14-1 Woods apart Jim Furyk is the only other player teeing it up with a world ranking inside the top 25, which emphasises the lack of quality in the field, and it would be no surprise to see him add to his already impressive tournament record.

The 2003 winner has finished outside the top ten only once in his previous eight visits, which have included runners-up spots in 2001 and 2006.

It's hard to believe that Slim Jim hasn't landed a victory on the tour since winning the Canadian Open in 2007 but he's still relentlessly consistent and is having a fine season.

A final round 69 just failed to hold the late charge of Woods in the Memorial Tournament and that form has been complemented by four other top-ten finishes while he was also in contention in the Open until a poor final round 76 cost him his chance.

Other selections Woody Austin 35-1 Daniel Chopra 75-1 Prior to missing his last two cuts Woody Austin was in a rich vein of form, having finished ninth in the St Jude Classic and bagging a share of sixth in the Crowne Plaza Invitational which included a classy opening round 63.

His most recent play can be overlooked as he has an impressive record in this event - he has carded six top-ten finishes (runner-up in 2007 and 2008) at venue of his debut victory on the PGA Tour back in 1995.

The course suits his game as he isn't compromised by his lack of length off the tee while his accurate play with the mid to short irons should offer him many birdie opportunities.

Daniel Chopra has been playing some decent Golf lately which has seen him land three top-20 finishes from his last five events including a tidy share of ninth in the John Deere Classic.

He once again struck the ball nicely in Canada and was set for another strong finish only to disappoint with a final round 74 but it was still a performance that makes him of interest due to his eye-catching form at Warwick Hills.

Previous finishing positions of eighth (2004), 12th (2005) and 17th (2008) are testament to his liking for the Michigan layout and if he has a decent week with the putter has the potential to prove competitive once again on a course he plays well.

Best outsider Scott McCarron 100-1 The 100-1 quoted about Scott McCarron looks too big after he took a share of eighth in the rain delayed Canadian Open.

The 44-year-old is swinging well and has missed only one cut in his last eight events, the highlight being a superb fourth in the Byron Nelson Championship where he hit a final round 62.

He's always capable of scoring low as he's invariably in great shape off the tee and he ranks third in driving accuracy this season hitting an impressive 73 per cent of fairways.

His best finish at the course was T15th in 1998 but he's since had two top-30 placings which is enough to justify a small interest at the threefigure price.

Dangers Scott Verplank can't be discounted on his course form which includes four top-ten finishes while his recent standard of play has been good enough to land him a share of ninth in both the Travelers and John Deere Classic and eighth in Canada. He's a player in form although he's one to be wary of if in contention during the final round as he often flatters to deceive as he did last week when a poor round of 73 cost him his chance of victory.

Justin Leonard, runner-up in 2007, enjoys the kind of target Golf the course demands and will on be a high after producing his best effort of the season at the Open. While Brian Gay also deserves respect given he was tied seventh last season, runner-up in 2002 and is having a stellar 2009 having already landed two victories in the Verizon Heritage and St Jude Classic. Recommendations B Snedeker 1.5pts each-way 35-1 Bet365 J Furyk 1pt each-way 40-1 general W Austin 0.5pt each-way 35-1 Stan James D Chopra 0.5pt each-way 75-1 Bet365

S McCarron 0.5pt each-way 100-1 Ladbrokes, Stan James

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