The lure of the dollar means quite a severe exodus of players across the Atlantic this week, which opens the way for some lucrative pay-days for others in the £650,000 Compaq European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall in Northumberland.
Colin Montgomerie won last year, when he was a late entrant and shot seven birdies in his last 11 holes to win, but he is not defending, preferring instead to conserve his energy in the build-up to the season's second major, the US Open, at the Olympic Club in San Francisco next week.
With the likes of Monty and new moneylist leader Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke away in the US, one of the season's most consistent performers Patrik Sjoland of Sweden has been installed as the 10 to 1 favourite. Given his form, they're not bad odds. However, an even more tempting bet is the 16 to 1 on offer about Welshman Phillip Price, who had his eighth top-ten finish of the season in last weekend's English Open. Price is enjoying his best ever season and, with so many big fish away, could make it a week to remember. For each-way value, a saver on former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker at 33 to 1 could be worth a shot.
10-1 - Patrik Sjoland (Sweden). 12-1 - Robert Allenby (Aus), Mark McNulty (Zim). 14-1 - Andrew Coltart (Scot).
16-1 - Paul McGinley, Philip Price (Wales). 20-1 - Stephen Ames (Trinidad and Tobago), David Howell (Eng). 25-1 - David Gilford (Eng). 33-1 - Peter Baker (Eng), Peter Lonard (Aus), Roger Wessels (SA).
40-1 - Paul Broadhurst (Eng).
