Hunt for value with Mahan

SPORTS BETTING:

TORRENTIAL rain has left the Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania resembling a swamp.

So patience is going to be key when the world’s finest tee it up on a soggy, tight course in the US Open tomorrow.

By major standards, Merion is a short track. At 6,996 yards, it will place an emphasis on accuracy rather than power despite the heavy conditions.

There will be little in the way of roll, so players will have to fly the ball at the pins.

That scenario suits Rory McIlroy perfectly and, at 25-1, he would have been the value choice if only he were playing better.

I am still tempted as it won’t take much to spark this golfing genius into life.

But there are others in much better form who will be well equipped to make a bold bid for glory.

Clearly, Tiger Woods heads that list and you could argue that 13-2 is perfecty fair for the world number one and recent winner of the TPC at Sawgrass.

But I don’t like backing short-priced players in a field of 156 and others make more appeal.

Hunter Mahan is a tee-to-green Mr Reliable who should thrive at this venue, while at even bigger odds Zach Johnson could take a hand in the finish on Sunday.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Hunter Mahan, each-way, first six, 70-1, Zach Johnson, each-way, first six, 80-1 (both with Paddy Power).