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WBX European Masters Preview |
Published on 03 Sep 2009.
Preview by Tom Allen
A cracking start to Ryder Cup qualification year this week in Switzerland at Crans and without doubt the most scenic event on the European Tour all season to look forward to over the coming days.
This tournament has attracted some star names in the past but while strength in depth has sometimes been an issue there can be no complaints this time around. Major contenders Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, both virtually assured of places in Monty’s side at Celtic Manor in 12 months time, are clear market leaders but past Ryder Cup members such as McDowell, Jimenez, Wilson and Clarke have also made the journey and this looks a decent renewal.
Westwood and McIlroy will have plenty of followers this week and at a point or two bigger the latter would get the nod from me. Odds of 13.0 only appear fair however, despite his second place finish here last year, and at double that price I take a wily veteran to prevail over the young Northern Irishman.
Miguel Angel Jimenez rewarded each way punters here last season, yours truly included, when finishing in a tie for third place behind McIlroy and winner Jean-Francois Lucquin and while ‘The Mechanic’ has not won for 15 months his form this year has been as solid as ever.
Miguel will have his mind focused on representing Europe once again this time next year and if he can continue his current play then he must enter calculations. Nine top-20’s this season is good, if not excellent, but his form spanning two decades here in the Alps is top-notch and he’ll be hoping to add to his seven top-10s to date.
Jimenez was second here way back in ’93 when chasing home Barry Lane and arrives on the back of a sixth at Firestone and four good rounds at Hazeltine. They followed five consecutive finishes of no worse than 25th, dating back to his fourth placed effort at the BMW International, and it wasn’t long ago that the Spaniard was looking down on the rest at The Open Championship after a Thursday 64 at Turnberry. Runner-up here in 2004 too to Luke Donald, Miguel will fancy his chances and odds of around 26.0 look generous.
I wanted to be with Francesco Molinari this week but prices similar to that of Jimenez's make no appeal and instead I’ll take a chance again on Oliver Wilson despite his relatively disappointing effort at Gleneagles last week.
Famous for 11 runner-up finishes on the European Tour to date without tasting victory, 35.0 about Wilson looks a touch on the big side for a player of his undoubted class and it is a measure of just how far he has come in such a short space of time that 27th last week will have gone down as a failure.
Oli’s golf throughout the opening two days in Scotland was erratic but he was teeing it up in Europe for the first time since mid-July and may just have needed time to adjust. Form figures here of 23-17-5 from three starts are highly encouraging, improving with each outing, and his usually steady play should be suited by the demands of the tricky par 71 layout. His play this summer has been extremely impressive in the very best company and surely it is only a matter of time before he lifts a trophy.
Back Miguel Angel Jimenez @ 26.0
Back Oliver Wilson @ 35.0 |
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