Colin Montgomerie has suffered his fair share of woes at Wentworth, but it seems that the odds of 9 to 1 on him to capture the World Matchplay Championship at the tree-lined course this week are very tempting indeed.

The Scot has finished the season in fine form - winning the British Masters and the German Masters to jump to the top of the Order of Merit with just the season-ending Volvo Masters in two weeks' time remaining - and could well be the man to back this week.

Not surprisingly, Tiger Woods has been installed as favourite - but the odds of 5 to 2 seem a mite mean, while his good buddy Mark O'Meara is on offer at 6 to 1.

If the horses for courses theory stands up, then Ernie Els - winner in 1994, '95 and '96 - and last year's champion Vijay Singh, who used it as the catalyst to winning this year's US PGA, also deserve consideration. However, Monty's odds appear most generous and he may finally get over his Wentworth misery.

5-2 - Tiger Woods (USA).

4-1 - Ernie Els (SA).

5-1 - Vijay Singh (Fiji).

6-1 - Mark O'Meara (USA).

9-1 - Colin Montgomerie (Scot).

12-1 - Steve Stricker (USA).

14-1 - Lee Westwood (Eng), Darren Clarke (Ire).

22-1 - Patrik Sjoland (Swe).

25-1 - Bernhard Langer (Ger).

33-1 - Thomas Bjorn (Den), Stuart Appleby (Aus).