Hansen the hot tip at 30-1

Soren Hansen looks a decent bet at odds of 30-1 with Boylesports, Bet365 and Skybet to win the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, starting Thursday.

The 34-year-old Dane is well placed to make his Ryder Cup debut later this year after claiming his fifth top-ten of the campaign when finishing fifth to Ross Fisher in the European Open on Sunday.

A winner twice on the tour previously, of the Irish Open in 2002 and of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany last year, the 34-year-old is presently playing the best golf of his career, driving the ball notably well and displaying no obvious weakness in his game.

Moreover, he has already enjoyed a degree of success at Loch Lomond, finishing in a share of 14th in 2006, and tied-19th last year.

Now up to 39 in the world rankings, and 15th on the Order of Merit, Hansen has an international field to beat, including three of the top six players in the world rankings — Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Ernie Els — but represents some value to prove equal to the task.

Mickelson and Els, respective winners in 2000 and 2003, head the betting at general odds of 9-1 and 11-1. With the pair enjoying further success last year, finishing second and third behind Gregory Havret, their claims must be respected.

The in-form Lee Westwood, victorious himself in 1998, is a general 14-1.