By Matt Slater Golf editor

For a tournament that has thrown up surprise winners like John Mahaffey, Hubert Green and, most memorably, a then unknown John Daly, the USPGA is surprisingly punter-friendly.

All you have to do is follow a simple formula: discount Europeans (they haven't won one for 75 years), ignore previous major winners (apart from Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh) and think of a middling American in reasonable touch.

The last 10 years have followed this pattern to perfection. The winners have either been Rich Beem-a-likes or Tiger/Vijay. So who will be this year's bolt from the red, white and blue?

Well, here are eight major-less journeymen looking for a destination.

KENNY PERRY Odds: 33/1

Age: 45
Ranking: 10

Appeals to the head: A nine-time winner on tour, it is harsh to call Perry a journeyman - particularly as two of those wins have come this season. The key to his success is his work from the tee - he is first in total driving (distance and accuracy) in 2005.

Appeals to the heart: One of golf's nicest guys, he almost won this event in 1996 but bogeyed the last to fall into a play-off. Perry then took four shots to find the green at the par-five 18th and saw the never-heard-of-again Mark Brooks take the prize with a second straight birdie. Built and subsidises a course in his hometown. Ample girth and advancing years also play well with the galleries.

CHRIS DIMARCO Odds: 50/1

Age: 36
Ranking: 13

Appeals to the head: His play-off loss to Tiger Woods at Augusta came hot on the heels of his defeat in a three-man decider at last year's USPGA. Those two seconds lifted him to a career-best seventh in the world. Gone off the boil since collecting a third top-five finish in three starts in May, but his idiosyncratic putting remains effective.

Appeals to the heart: If majors were handed out for effort the tenacious DiMarco would have more than most armies. But all that high-fiving fails to hide the fact that this New York-born golfer does not win enough - it's now three years since he claimed his third title. He is due a good week.

SCOTT VERPLANK Odds: 66/1

Age: 41
Ranking: 23

Appeals to the head: Four top-10s this season, including two seconds, but no victories since 2001. Like DiMarco, the Texan is high in the rankings thanks to consistent performances over the last 18 months. Keeps his drives on the short stuff and wields the short stick sparingly.

Appeals to the heart: If this tournament was in Oklahoma, his adopted home state, Verplank would surely be a fans' favourite. Sadly, Baltusrol is in New Jersey, so he'll be just another decent American to the galleries. Likes quail hunting.

MARK HENSBY Odds: 50/1

Age: 34
Ranking: 28

Appeals to the head: After Tiger, Hensby is the most consistent player in this year's majors with fifth, third and 15th place finishes. He has also just won the Scandinavian Masters on the European Tour. Hensby emerged as a contender in 2004 when he claimed eight top-10s in the US, including victory at the John Deere Classic.

Appeals to the heart: OK, Hensby is not American, he's Australian, but four Aussies have won the USPGA (compared to none at the Masters and only one at the US Open). There is also a rags-to-riches subplot as he once spent a few weeks sleeping in his car at Cog Hill, the home of the Western Open, when he was an impoverished young pro in 1994.

FRED FUNK Odds: 100/1

Age: 49
Ranking: 29

Appeals to the head: A late bloomer, Funk did not win his first tour event until he was 36. Having won five by the age of 42, he then went six years without another. But then, this season, he beat the cream of the crop to win the Players, the so-called "fifth major". Very straight off the tee.

Appeals to the heart: A favourite with the press - as much for his headline-friendly surname as his gentle wit - Funk would be a popular winner. His Peter Pan status (he lists water-skiing among his hobbies) is secure as his TPC win brought him a five-year exemption. Has a degree in law enforcement, so not just a happy face.

BART BRYANT Odds: 150/1

Age: 44
Ranking: 35

Appeals to the head: A Bryant victory would be a glorious end to an Indian summer in his career. After years in the pack, the Texan won in Texas in 2004 and then went one better this year by taking the prestigious Memorial. To underline his improvement, he made the cut at St Andrews - his first weekend appearance at a major.

Appeals to the heart: Not quite Seabiscuit, but his late blossoming is a heart-warming tale, particularly as he was ravaged with injuries for most of his 30s. Brother Brad, his family are big on alliteration, is also a PGA Tour champion.

BILLY MAYFAIR Odds: 80/1

Age: 39
Ranking: 65

Appeals to the head: Six top-10s this season tell their own story, the Arizonan is another basking in the warm glow of an Indian summer to his career. His third place in total driving in 2005 suggests he can manoeuvre a ball around a course. But no win since 1998 suggests he lacks guile on the greens.

Appeals to the heart: A solid golfer (in every sense of the word) for over a decade, Mayfair is enjoying his best year since 2001. Married his wife on the 18th green before the Byron Nelson Classic in 1994, so he is clearly at home in the office. Good record on the tight courses of the US Open, Baltusrol could suit him.

TED PURDY Odds: 150/1

Age: 31
Ranking: 74

Appeals to the head: Followed up a breakthrough year on the tour in 2004 with a breakthrough tour win in 2005. His Byron Nelson victory confirmed the class he had previously shown only in flashes.

Appeals to the heart: Looks like a man whose career is going in the right direction. Lists playing the stock market as one of his special interests, so good numbers and big cheques will not intimidate him.

Odds provided by William Hill on 8 August 2005