The Omega European Masters gets underway at Le Golf Club de Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Thursday, August 31.
A relatively short course, players will take on the 6,824-yard par 70 which has hosted the tournament –originally the Swiss Open – since 1939 and is normally played in September each season.
Two-time event winner Matt Fitzpatrick is the favourite for the tournament and is priced at 17/2. The Englishman won at Crans-Montana in both 2017 and 2018 – two of his five DP World Tour victories to date.
The 2022 US Open champion won both of those tournaments in a playoff, beating Scott Hend and Lucas Bjerregaard in consecutive years. He’s played most of the 2023 season on the PGA Tour and finished top 10 at both the BMW Championship and Tour Championship in August.
Statistically, Fitzpatrick has excelled on approaches from 225-250 yards and total putting, which should hold him in good stead on the Crans-sur-Sierre course.
His short approach play has been dire, however, so the potential is there for him to struggle. A large punt on a top-10 finish at 13/10 should provide better than double-your-money value.
Thriston Lawrence is the defending champion and is a handsome price at 66/1. Since his triumph a year ago he has enjoyed two further DP World Tour successes at the South African Open Championship and BWM International Open.
However, his form lately has been questionable with four successive finishes outside the top 30, including two missed cuts. Other than his putting, his play has been average or below in all departments.
Turning to the stats, Alexander Bjork at 20/1 is certainly an option. He leads the DP World Tour in strokes per round (69.50), is second in strokes gained (+1.83) and second in strokes gained on approach (+1.03).
His putting is above average, with his main weakness being drive distance (157th on the Tour) likely strengthened by the short yardage of the Swiss course.
Bjork would be the pick for a small win-only bet but coupling it with a cover on the top-20 finish at 13/10 could help.
Other contenders at the front of the field will include Adrian Meronk (18/1), Nicolai Hojgaard (18/1) and 2021 European Masters winner Rasmus Hojgaard (33/1).
If you’re looking for an outsider to back, Ryo Hisatsune at 70/1 could be the selection. The Japanese golfer is currently ranked 31st on the Tour but has finished in the Top 15 in four of the past five tournaments.
Statistically, he’s in the top 15 in stroke average per round (70.32), hits 70/31% of greens in regulation and is midfield in terms of putting. A top-20 finish at 16/5 should prove fruitful on recent form.
