The Dunhill Links is a difficult puzzle to solve given the players play 3 different courses on separate days with changeable weather determining how scoreable each course is on the day. You need an ounce of luck to land a winner here although there is always an opportunity in the market and with plenty of links form lines to pour over we can muster some reasonable bets. We know the drill by now, 3 courses, 20 handicappers, 6 hour rounds. This requires a fair deal of patience and good attitude. In fact we've seen it benefit the likes of Hatton who has a hot temper. The conditions can mean that players like Hatton can relax and enjoy the fun atmosphere that surrounds each celebrity group.

McIlroy has three runner up finishes here and generally goes well playing with his father, Gerry. There is an argument that he shouldn't be any bigger than his price last week in a slightly weaker field and with less trouble to contend with. Regardless his finish in 2017 shows us that it can go either way and with plenty able to shoot in the high teens under par here he is maybe best swerved.

Whilst many previous winners have played well at this event before it is important to note many haven't. Bjerregaard had 3 missed cuts before his victory whilst Hatton missed two before he went on his winning run. A previous missed cut here is no huge negative as there could be any amount of reasons as to why it didn't work out.

Of the market leaders Tommy Fleetwood looks well equipped given his experience in this event and his links form down the last few years has been as good as any in the field. Two runner up finishes and two other top 5s here is only bettered by Hatton's heroics in the last few years. It's a huge positive that he hasn't missed a cut here in 8 appearances with all the difficulties this tournament throws at you. He has gone close at the last two Open Championships also and looks to be the most tempting price at the top of the market almost 3 times the price of Rory on the exchanges. The price is just ok and not a ton of value but I can't see him out of the frame given his pedigree at these places now and he may now get an overdue victory.

2pts each-way T.Fleetwood 18/1 (1/5 8 places)

Tom Lewis won the Korn Ferry Tour Finals a few weeks ago in spectacular fashion and two missed cuts since isn't enough to put me off the 100/1 available this week. He narrowly missed each of those cuts at the Greenbrier and last week at Wentworth and can be expected of a much better show these few days in Scotland. Lewis of course burst onto the scene a number of years back playing a super first round in the Open playing with Tom Watson. Since then he has had a few ups and downs but the last 2 years have been a huge success with him winning once again in Portugal and obtaining his full pga tour card. He will no doubt have one eye on that season upcoming but the Dunhill Links provides a solid opportunity for him to land another title. He has two top tens here down the years and has been in good positions in particular in 2013 when he finished 1 shot off the pace despite a 73 at Carnoustie on Saturday. Looks to be one certainly overpriced.

1pt each-way T.Lewis 100/1 (1/5 6 places)

T.Lewis - 1pt e/w @ 100/1

Robert MacIntyre hasn't done a whole pile wrong in defeat this year and looks sure to get over the line sooner rather than later. Now inside the top 100 his top 30 finish at Wentworth was a solid effort given it was his first appearance there and it backed up his previous runner up finish at the Porsche. That was his second bridesmaid tag of the year and he should be suited by the cold Scottish links presented this week. GB&Ire have won a chunk of these events since 2000 and it is certainly my ploy to get a few in form lads from these isles on my slips this week. Bobby looks to have a cracking attitude and whilst many will drown in the format he will be working his spikes off to land his first victory.

1pt each-way R.MacIntyre 50/1 (1/5 7 places)

R.MacIntyre - 1pt e/w @ 50/1

Haotong Li finished like a train to finish 3rd in the 2017 Open Championship and with a top 5 here last year on debut can be expected to put his best foot forward this week. A top 20 at Lahinch earlier in the year was another fine links performance. He is an extremely talented sort who could still elevate himself onto another level with more high profile wins in the next few years. What is interesting about last years performance was that he shot 75 on the easiest links of the 3, Kingabarns on day one. If he can get to grips with that track and continue his decent links form then he should be in with a shout.

1pt each-way H.Li 50/1 (1/5 8 places)

H.Li - 1pt e/w @ 50/1

Paul Waring won the Nordea Masters last year amidst some cold and windy conditions and is an outsider worth having in our staking plan this week. He is on an impressive run with 7 made cuts on the spin and having not been out of the top 30 in his last four events. Tied 21st at Wentworth last week was a solid knock considering the strength of the field. The return to links should suit given he has two top tens posted on Irish the Irish links of Portush and most recently this season in Lahinch. He also has a top 20 posted in an Open back in 2008 at Birkdale. He slides under the radar here and looks a big number.

0.75pt each-way P.Waring 175/1 (1/5 7 places)

P.Waring - 0.75pts e/w @ 175/1

Finally I'll have a small bet on Justin Harding. The South African sits 57th in the world rankings having gotten off the mark earlier in the year in Qatar. Qatar winners have been prolific on links tracks and three players (Lawrie, Karlsson and Grace) have won both events. He missed the cut at Wentworth last week but is probably worth the risk here this week at a top price of 200/1. 12th in the Masters, and 10th at the Byron Nelson earlier in the year is an example of just how good Harding can be. He has had a great year and it'd be no surprise to me if he bounced back here this week.

0.5pt each-way J.Harding 200/1 (1/5 7 places)

J.Harding - 0.5pts e/w @ 200/1