Some understandably find the persistent Ryder Cup chat which colours August and September a bit too much, but it's inescapable at the Belfry in this week's British Masters – and it's partly why a much stronger field assembles than was the case 12 months ago.

Back in summer, before his return to form which surely confirmed his Ryder Cup selection, Matt Fitzpatrick added this to his schedule on the assumption he wouldn't make it to East Lake. Alex Noren, Aaron Rai and Matt Wallace have all had to follow suit, and PGA Tour player Patrick Rodgers has decided to join them for good measure.

But where the Ryder Cup is concerned, all eyes are on Rasmus Hojgaard. Finish in a two-way tie for 29th or better and the Dane will emulate his twin brother, Nicolai, in playing in a Ryder Cup. Rasmus might also take away any remaining hope for Nicolai and others, including in-form Marco Penge, as the 12 would seem clear were he to qualify.

Should he fail to, by definition therefore having played modestly this week, Hojgaard would head to Crans as one of a handful hoping to be rewarded with the final captain's pick. What Harry Hall does on the PGA Tour this week could play a part in this scenario, while Noren, Rai and Wallace would suddenly have some form of agency, where for now there is only hope.

For Hojgaard, second in Denmark on Sunday, the big positive outside of that return to form is that he's won both here and at Crans before. But that also could make him vulnerable: if these are courses we know he likes, that would only make poor play more concerning. He will be desperate to qualify at the death, as Bernd Wiesberger did in 2021.

Whatever happens, we've a cracking tournament in front of us at a familiar venue. The Brabazon has of course hosted the Ryder Cup multiple times and, despite its imperfections, is popular among players and fans. It's no pushover, either: 10-under won both renewals prior to last year's, which was won in -16 but with seven-under enough for a place inside the top 10.

Many would categorise this as a fairways-and-greens challenge, but I'm intrigued by a leaderboard which featured some of the longest drivers in Europe. None are longer than the winner, Niklas Norgaard, but Hojgaard, Jeong Weon Ko and Jesper Svensson are not all that far behind. Thriston Lawrence was the short hitter of the top five, and he is by no means short.

As for why this might be, take a look at the fairways hit statistics. Norgaard ranked fourth in driving accuracy while hitting less than one in two. The most accurate driver in the field hit just 55%, presumably because fiery fairways made them artificially narrower. When everyone struggles to hit fairways, shorter approach shots are often key, with powerful players also better at hitting out of the rough.

It's been a roaring summer in the UK and with almost no rain around of late, plus a slightly earlier slot in the calendar, we should see similar conditions. I also suspect we saw a decent trial last week, where bouncy fairways and similar scoring presented a power-packed leaderboard. More good news for Hojgaard, perhaps?

Given what's at stake there would be some irony were an American to win this and I think PATRICK RODGERS is great value to do just that.

It's been a tough summer for the popular former amateur star, but things improved when he started to stripe his irons in the 3M Open (MC by one), then shot rounds of 63 and 65 for 15th at the Wyndham, by some way his best result there in 10 years of trying.

That effort was enough to earn Rodgers a go at the Playoffs and he played well again to be 38th at Southwind, pound-for-pound his best result at a course which doesn't suit his game. And while his approach play wasn't quite as scintillating as it had been over the previous two events, it was still better than average.

This area of the game has held Rodgers back down the years but combined with his long, quality driving, good things could be around the corner, albeit he is going to need to putt better. That club has not historically been a problem and I can't help but fall for the idea that a change of scenery and drop in grade could finally see him win.

Certainly I believe the Belfry will suit Rodgers and that idea is supported by third place in the Genesis Invitational back in the spring. That's one of the very best pieces of form anyone in this field has produced in 2025 and it came at a course where fairways are notoriously hard to hit, one where longer drivers are therefore at an advantage.

Granted, he hasn't travelled much, but his wife his English and, on one of few overseas starts, he contended for the Australian Open in 2023. But above all else I think he's been put in at the wrong price. For my money he's a better golfer than several of the 15 players ahead of him in this market and I wouldn't assume playing away from home changes that.

Fitzpatrick merits favouritism over Rai but this is his fourth week in a row, he flies in from Caves Valley, and he'll be the star attraction. Maybe that plus a lack of course experience will keep him from a ninth DP World Tour title although having sided with him twice for top-10s in better company lately, he's by far the one I fear.

Beyond him it's much of a muchness, with the next 10 priced between 12 and 25/1. It feels too compressed and while Kristoffer Reitan impresses more and more each week, and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen is a winner waiting to happen, their prices are not generous to my eye.

That has to be the determining factor so I'll take LAURIE CANTER, who has only been held back by his putter in previous appearances here but has shown some better signs with that club lately.

Seventh in the BMW International Open the last time he competed at this kind of level, that coming at a very similar course to this one, Canter then produced a customarily excellent ball-striking display in Scotland, before missing the cut because of the putter at Portrush.

Prior to the Open he'd been good on the greens at Oakmont and better than average in both subsequent starts, his work with David Howell generally offering encouragement. From tee-to-green he remains outstanding, arguably the number one driver of a ball in this field, and that comes from not just his power, but accuracy too.