Perhaps there's a feeling that things have to start going right for the player, especially given his recent travails with his caddie, but Ian Woosnam - who has not won on the European Tour since his Volvo PGA title success in 1997 - has been installed as 9 to 1 favourite to make a return to the valleys a winning one in this week's Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

Our advice is to give poor old Woosie your sympathy, but not your bet. With many of the game's big guns missing out this week as they prepare for the USPGA championship, some of the more recent form horses like Ian Poulter and Warren Bennett could manage to step in for an overdue win.

Some other players, like 40 to 1 shot Steve Webster, have also shown some decent form of late, but our tip is to go with David Howell, a very appetising 33 to 1 shot. This Celtic Manor course is one that you either love or hate - and Howell, runner- up to Steen Tinning last year, likes it. Apart from that, the Englishman has been very consistent over the summer months with a number of quality top-10 finishes and should provide good value for money.

9-1 - Ian Woosnam (Wal).

12-1 - Adam Scott (Aus).

14-1 - Ian Poulter (Eng).

16-1 - Phil Price (Wal).

20-1 - Paul Lawrie (Scot), Andrew Coltart (Scot), Warren Bennett (Eng).

25-1 - Dean Robertson (Scot), Paul McGinley (Ire), Nick O'Hern (Aus).

33-1 - David Howell (Eng), Jarmo Sandelin (Sweden).

40-1 - Andrew Oldcorn (Eng), Steen Tinning (Den), Thomas Levet (Fr), Anders Hansen (Den), Richard Green (Aus), Ian Garbutt (Eng), Steve Webster (Eng), Barry Lane (Eng).

Prices supplied by Ladrokes Ireland.