COLIN Montgomerie has emerged as the bookies' favourite to collect the £133,000 winners cheque at the Benson and Hedges International Open at the Oxfordshire Golf Club, near Thame.

Oxford's River Racing are making him their 10-1 favourite while Ladbrokes have him at 8-1.

Worksop golfer Lee Westwood looks likely to play despite undergoing a scan on the shoulder injury that forced him to pull out of a US Tour event in New Orleans at the weekend.

It turned out to be a trapped nerve and that hasn't stopped him from being the bookies second favourite. River Racing have him at 14-1 and Ladbrookes offer odds of 12-1.

Defending champion Darren Clarke carries a big price and he is River Racing's long-shot at 50-1, although Ladbrokes odds drop to 25-1.

The pro-am got underway at 7.15am this morning and play is expected to go on until about 6pm, depending on the weather.

Story date: Wednesday 12 May

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