Langer - decent value (Getty Images).

By David John

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Betting Box Tipping Guide

BETTING BOX
FIXED ODDS
	1.5pts e.w. Bernhard Langer for Top European at US Open at 22/1 (1/5 1,2,3,4 Coral).	Played very well last week and he represents a tempting bet at the odds on offer.

The beauty of the major championships is the plethora of markets you can get involved in and there looks to be some value in this week's Top European at the US Open.

The man to have on your side is German Bernhard Langer, who seems overpriced at 22/1.

The veteran has hardly set the world alight in 2003 but he looked in great fettle last week when finishing an excellent T5 at the FBR Capital Open.

His US Open profile is hardly anything to write home about either but the way Olympia Fields is set up should be far more to his liking.

It will not require the power from the tee of past venues so excellent iron play, touch around the greens and strategy will be critical requirements - qualities Langer's career has been built on.

His ability to knuckle down when the going gets tough and giving nothing less then 100 percent on each shot make him an attractive proposition at the odds on offer.

A continuation of his efforts from Avenal would make him tough to keep out of the frame.

The market is rightly headed by Padraig Harrington.

He got himself into a threatening position at Avenal but a rocky patch around the turn scuppered any chance of victory.

He is undoubtedly in the best form of the European challengers and is the most likely winner but there is no scope to be had at a price of around 11/4.

I was originally sweet on the chances of Darren Clarke and heartened to see him finish up at the Forest of Arden with a very good round.

But his revelation about the attacking approach he will employ this week is far from ideal at a US Open set-up.

Trying to bully this venue will lead to him re-boarding the private jet on Friday evening and heading back for Europe.

An early bath could also be the outcome for Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomerie who are struggling with their game at the moment, the latter particularly downbeat.

Niclas Fasth played very well for the most part at the FBS Capital but still throws in too many unforced errors while Paul Lawrie also faded after a promising start.

The classy Scot never seems totally comfortable to me on his ventures over the Atlantic anyway.

Nick Faldo could get involved after playing so well in this event 12 months ago while Jose Maria Olazabal at times looks like making progress back towards his best but is still struggling for consistency.

It will be interesting to see how new guys Brian Davis, Freddie Jacobson and Maarten Lafeber fare.

They all have talent but this will be a searching examination and making the weekend will be an achievement.