Barclays Classic Form Guide

OTHER CANDIDATES
PADRAIG HARRINGTON

Padraig initially made the staking plan, as I feel this is a course

where his inaccuracy off the tee might not be too heavily penalised, and

where his scrambling skills will be a huge asset. He was eventually

relegated to first reserve.

PAUL CASEY

Having potentially hindered his Ryder Cup claims to focus on the Fedex

Cup, Casey had better make it worthwhile with a lucrative month. He was

seventh at Ridgewood in 2008, and after finishing strongly for 12th

place at Whistling Straits, could be on the verge of returning to his

best.

BUBBA WATSON

I could never have picked out Bubba for the USPGA, but his near-miss

there was the perfect rebuttal for those of us who criticise players

with one-dimensional, attacking games. Ridgewood could provide a similar

tale, for while it doesn't look like a bombers' layout, Bubba went

close in 12th two years ago.

RETIEF GOOSEN

Eight top-ten finishes is a decent return on the year to date, but

Goosen was poor last time at Whistling Straits and missed the cut here

in 2008.

DUSTIN JOHNSON

For the second time this year, we're all waiting to see how Dustin will

cope with massive disappointment in a major, although this time his fate

was sealed by bad luck rather than design. As with fellow bomber Bubba

Watson, Ridgewood doesn't suit at first glance, but then it didn't at

Whistling Straits either.

JUSTIN LEONARD

Third at the Wyndham was Leonard's best result of the season, and having

finished seventh here in 2008, he rates a likely candidate.

JUSTIN ROSE

Rose commands the utmost respect on the basis of his two recent PGA Tour

titles, but was disappointing when surprisingly missing the USPGA cut.

NICK WATNEY

Again, the focus must be on how quickly Watney bounces back from the

shock of that disastrous final round at Whistling Straits, with the

tournament at his mercy. In the longer-term he's too good a prospect not

to forgive, but I'd rather employ a watching brief for now.

LUKE DONALD

Despite poor performances in his last two elite events, Donald made the

shortlist. The emphasis here on patience, ball-striking and scrambling

looks ideal.

HUNTER MAHAN

Mahan leads the ball-striking stats so should love Ridgewood. After his

win at the WGC-Bridgestone, Hunter is on the verge of challenging the

elite, as soon as he becomes more consistent.

CAMILO VILLEGAS Speaking of challenging the elite, regular readers will know I've been

tipping Villegas to do just that for some time. I'd lost interest over

the summer when he was struggling, but his fast finishing eighth at

Whistling Straits was an eyecatching performance. He is already the

fifth highest ever Fedex Cup points-scorer.

2010 STATS: -100pts

LONG-TERM ALREADY ADVISED

5pts MARTIN KAYMER TO WIN THE RACE TO DUBAI @ 9/1
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