Barclays Classic golf betting guide: Ernie Els

If they were at or near their best, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia would represent unbelievable value at 28/1 and 35/1 respectively. However, that clearly isn't the case. Mickelson's lack of form and focus is entirely understandable given his off-course problems, but Garcia simply remains a player that can't be trusted. Sunday's disastrous back-nine at the Wyndham Championship was the latest in a long line of final day failures, though I suppose on the positive side at least that was his first opportunity to win in a long time.   One man I do think is returning to somewhere near his best is ERNIE ELS. It was looking grim for Ernie six weeks ago, but excellent performances to register top 10s in the last two Majors suggest there's life in him yet. If Liberty does indeed turn out to be like those other courses mentioned above, nobody will be better suited to it than Els. He has amazing records in the Open and Harbour Town, finished 2nd in the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach, and 4th at Whistling Straits in 2004.   Using similar logic, the hero of Whistling Straits and Pebble Beach specialist, Vijay Singh, is no forlorn hope to retain his title. As we saw at the USPGA, there's nothing wrong with his long game. Rather like Els and Garcia, everything revolves around his fate on the greens. Equally, top-class Americans Kenny Perry, Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker all warrant a mention as highly plausible winners.   Instead though, I prefer their countryman and reigning Open champion STEWART CINK. He certainly has the long-game credentials and ability to play well in windy conditions to thrive around Liberty, and shouldn't be written off just because of a disappointing final round in the USPGA. Prior to that, Cink had looked very comfortable with his new 'Major champion' status, and gave Woods and Harrington a run for their money at Firestone. On that form, Cink looks one to watch over the course of the FedEx Cup.   BRANDT SNEDEKER is another player who could vastly improve his ranking and reputation over the next few weeks. Snedeker is bang in form right now, shooting below 70 in 17 of his last 24 rounds and reaching the top 5 on four of his last seven starts. Though not this year, Snedeker had shown a particular liking for tough, championship venues, so Liberty offers a great chance if he can maintain that form.