This season, we have witnessed world-class performances from all four golf major winners. Adam Scott finally broke his major duck at the Masters; Justin Rose ended England’s wait for a champion at the US Open; Phil Mickelson sauntered to the Open title, and Jason Dufner held his nerve for the PGA Championship.

Major tournaments bring out the best in players but very rarely does a surprise winner occur. Over the past five years, you can argue just three genuine outsiders have won one of 20 majors title available. Backing a favourite, therefore, is the smart thing to do when placing a bet on golf.

Indeed, with the PGA Tour Championship right around the corner, backing the favourite should be your priority. Anyone within the top-10 shortest odds before start of play has a good chance of winning the Tour Champs that, although not a major, has a hefty $1.44m first prize.

The money available effectively makes this tournament a major and only the leading 30 players make it to East Lake, Atlanta. Tiger Woods easily tops the money board – having won five titles this season – and is a good shout as favourite to win the tournament. However, be wary of Woods because he has not shown great major form this year.

Mickelson, meanwhile, is a solid shout. The American has twice won this event, knows the East Lake course exceedingly well, and is in positive form. He, alongside Australia’s Adam Scott, are the leading contenders in the golf betting to take this title.

Backing a major winner to take this prize is ill advised, however, for that has not happened since Tiger Woods claimed the Tour Champs a few weeks after lifting the PGA Championship in 2007. Stay away from Rose and Dufner, therefore, because Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker have both impressed this season without nailing a major title.

This US pair certainly have the credentials to challenge the major winners and will have longer odds to do so – making them the most viable bets out there this September.