8/1 Johnson can go walking in Memphis

The cream of the golfing world has descended on TPC Southwind for the year’s third World Golf Championships event, with Dustin Johnson an 8/1 favourite to win the St Jude Invitational.

Johnson was unable to get anything going at Royal Portrush last week, ending up in a tie for 51st at the Open Championship, and will hope for better fortunes back in his homeland on a course that he loves.

The 35-year-old has won twice around the layout, claiming the St Jude Classic in 2012 and last year, but he will be up against a stellar field as most of the sport’s big hitters are teeing it up in Memphis.

Rory McIlroy (10/1), who was devastated to miss the cut on his own patch in Northern Ireland, will get straight back on the horse in Tennessee, while the man at the top of the rankings, Brooks Koepka (11/1), will look to improve on his fourth-place finish at the Open.

The US ace finished a long way behind Shane Lowry on Sunday but always seems to be there or thereabouts in the biggest events.

Justin Thomas (12/1) threatened at times last week before ending up in a share of 11th at Portrush and knows he needs to start getting points on the board as the business end of the FedEx Cup looms.

“Every event’s very important over the course of the entire year, but it definitely is now because you’re running out (of time),” he said. “I really feel like I’m trending in the right direction.”

The 26-year-old believes his game is coming together and says it will not be long before he lifts another trophy.

“I feel like I’m very, very close to winning again,” added the former world number one. “I’ve been saying that all year, but got my putter, I feel like, kind of back, a lot closer to where I would like it.”

Tommy Fleetwood’s second-place Open finish will have given the Englishman a shot in the arm and he can be backed at 25/1 to win this week.

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