Ryder Cup qualification gets underway this week with Wentworth staging this event for the first time with all the majors finished and the new PGA season underway in the States. It's a strange feeling as this would usually come towards the start of the Summer with a feast of sport to look forward to. Now we're winding down and although I'm no fan of the schedule at least it means we gather a strong field for an event which has had its moments in failing to attract some of their stars. No such problems this week and those making the trip to the leafy suburbs of Surrey will be in for a treat as the weather looks set to be fine for the majority of the four days. As ever a solid tee to green game is needed around here and any strays balls off the tee or towards greens will regularly find trouble in trees or at the very best in difficult bunkers. It's a solid test of golf in which all aspects need to be firing to contend over the weekend. It has produced some drama over the weekend down the years and from here to Christmas this is as good as the golf gets, so strap in and enjoy.

I mentioned a few weeks ago in my Porsche preview just how far Casey and Schauffele stood out in the field in terms of their form in the playoff events in the States. Similarly a week before an error prone McIlroy nearly limped over the line is Crans also. Garcia did the business last week at the KLM and despite some exciting prospects rearing their heads on the European Tour, the experienced types who play the bulk of their golf on the PGA Tour are streets beyond the majority of the fields. This week in an exception as the field is quite strong for a European event. That being said, RORY MCILROY (6-1) (Enhanced Win Only) is at the peak of his powers right now and he will be hard to beat this week. 11/2 might not tickle the fancy of many given the strong field but 9/1 was his measure in both the markets at the Tour Championship a month ago. He doesn't have to deal with the American powerhouses here and with the way he drove the ball at East Lake that week if he continues in that manner he will be a juggernaut here. Crans presented it's problems with the claustrophobic nature and inability to really open his shoulders on many holes off the tee. The effortless 3 woods he was hitting at East Lake were pure honey and I firmly believe he has arrived back at the point he was winning majors comfortably a few years back. Majors won't come as easy nowadays with the likes of Brooks of course, but I'd wager now he'll be more successful than Brooks in the four big ones next year. He has had his problems at Wentworth also with a handful of missed cuts but a win and runner up spot in 2 of his last 3 appearances are as good as it comes in this field. His performances this season have been the stuff of old and he absolutely deserved the player of the year tag he got last week. Rose has question marks surrounding his fitness, and I'm amazed he isn't a bigger number. Fleetwood hasn't found winning easy along with Finau whilst an out of form Molinari doesn't look likely to produce the heroics needed to win this again. Hovland is mighty short for his first outing at a tricky enough track and there's a handful more golfers that just seem generally underpriced for glory this week. Given just how much better the Irishman is nowadays compared to the rest, I think he's worth siding with as he looks to capitalise further on this run of form.

4pts WIN R.McIlroy 6/1 (Enhanced Win Only)

Rory McIlroy - 4pts @ 6/1

Casey looks like he could mount a solid challenge to McIlroy this week, but whether two buses will turn up in quick succession for someone like Casey is a big ask. He may be found lacking the correct change to board. With his relentless progression in European events Rahm is a far more likely candidate to topple the favourite. His last full field event win in the States was more than 18 months ago and that will be a slight concern for Rahmbo. He should rectify that soon but around 10/1 on his first jaunt here doesn't tempt me. A better bet to take home the silverware is HENRIK STENSON (22/1 / 8 places). The Swede has enjoyed a mini revival in the summer with consecutive top tens at the Canadian, US and Scottish Opens. A top 20 followed at Portrush and most recently played solid golf in his homeland finishing third behind Van Rooyen and Fitzpatrick. He has finished 3rd and 7th in his last two appearances here and when on his game is a perfect fit for the task at Wentworth. With negatives surrounding plenty in the top 20 in the betting it takes a lot to try and remove him from the plan. The bookies are alive to his chances and 22s certainly isn't a gift from above, nevertheless he looks a likely contender and an experienced sort who can get over the line in a biggee.

2pts each-way H.Stenson 22/1 (1/5 8 places)

Henrik Stenson - 2pts e/w @ 22/1

Beyond these two I personally find it a minefield. There are stacks that have lively enough chances at bigger odds and it's hard to narrow down any that are reliable enough for significant support. Haotong Li fits the bill but hasn't done a lot lately and if anything looks on the skinny side. That being said, it'd be no surprise to see him pop up as he has class in abundance. At bigger prices I quite like the chances of MIKE LORENZO-VERA (70/1/ 8 places). The Frenchman has yet to get over the line but has always liked a track that demands accuracy from tee to green. He is enjoying his most consistent season to date and has posted a string of impressive results. 2nd in Qatar was backed up by a top 5 finish in China to complete a successful tour of the Far East earlier in the season. A heroic effort at Bethpage landed him his first top 20 in a Major finishing 16th beating many of the worlds best in the process. Since then top tens have followed in Spain, Ireland, Switzerland and last week in Holland. He is a fighter and wears his heart on his visor and must fancy his chances of continuing this form around a track that should really suit when on song. Once again bookies are alive to his chances, I'd have expected bigger but we'll have a bash at 70/1.

1pt each-way M.Lorenzo Vera 70/1 (1/5 8 places)

Mike Lorenzo Vera - 1pt e/w @ 70/1