Crowne Plaza International preview, picks & analysis

ADAM SCOTT has looked like a little boy lost this season. Knowing that the broomhandle putter he uses will be outlawed at the end of the year, he turned to a conventional short stick and found that he couldn't hole a putt to save his life.

Jason Dufner is unrecognisable, having shed more than three stones, cut his hair and parted company with his wife. He has also parted company with his golf game.

All of which goes to show how much can happen in a year - 12 months ago, Scott beat Dufner in a playoff to win the Crowne Plaza International at Colonial. Since then, nothng much has gone right for either player, so if you are looking for a winner this time, you should be looking elsewhere.

Is Adam Scott a long way from the straight and narrow in 2015? 

One of the favourites shouldn't even be here. Paul Casey is making his way on the PGA Tour once again and has played some spectacular golf, but he should be playing in the BMW PGA championship at Wentworth. He has been criticised in some quarters for failing to make the trip, so let's hope that he can answer those critics with a good performance at Colonial.

Ian Poulter is another who has decided to give Wentworth a miss in favour of Texas. He justified his decision by saying that he had never finished in the top 10 in the PGA - if he misses the cut, he stands to make himself look very foolish.

One player who certainly won't be looking foolish - this week or anytime soon - is Jordan Spieth, the Masters champion and world No2, who returns to action after a couple of weeks at home. Spieth vowed not to touch his golf clubs, Do you think he managed to do that? No, neither do I.

Spieth is a class act - you can never imagine him giving the PGA Tour's flagship event a wide berth, can you? He will arrive at Colonial with just one target in mind - another title.

And who can stop him? Jimmy Walker has gone off the boil of late, but returning to his home state could reignite him. There are few players who strike the ball better than Walker, and only one (Spieth) who is a better putter.

But I am plumping for Ryan Palmer, one of the best swingers of a golf club on the PGA Tour. He is a local boy, is a member at Colonial and has finished in the top 15 in each of the past three years. That local knowledge of this fabulous golf course is bound to help. And apart from anything else, Palmer has been playing well and will be cheered to the hilt by the crowd.

Others to look out for include Russell Knox, of Scotland,  Kevin Kisner, who came so close to winning the Players Championship,  Ben Martin, fast becoming one of the best young players on tour, Robert Streb and Brendon Todd and Kevin Streelman.

Crowne Plaza International Betting Picks

To win: Ryan Palmer. Local boy to make good

Each-way: Jordan Spieth. Bound to figure

Each-way: Ben Martin. Terrific player

Crowne Plaza International Fantasy picks

Ryan Palmer. Sure to be inspired

Jordan Spieth. Looking for a win in his home state

Ben Martin. Great looking player

Kevin Streelman. Capable of producing birdies for fun

Jimmy Walker. Looking for third win of the season

Russell Knox. Simply a very, very good golfer

Kevin Kisner. I really like the look of this young man

Brendon Todd. Due a big week

Robert Streb. Has put together a few terrific weeks

Paul Casey. Needs to prove he's at the right event