Omega European Masters: golf betting guide

Our tipster analyses the field and comes up with some top tips ahead of this week's Omege European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland

Thomas Bjorn

This week, the European Tour stages one of its most iconic tournaments, the Omega European Masters, at one of the most iconic venues on the circuit - Crans-sur-Sierre in Switzerland.

The course - located in the Alps with stunning views across valleys and mountain ranges - is not at all long by modern standards at 6,822 yards, with altitude shortening it further.

Therefore, strategy, course management and accuracy are far more important than distance off the tee, so look out for some of the shorter, more considered and meticulous players to feature this week.

Unfortunately, the Fed-Ex Cup play-offs have weakened the field somewhat, with players such as Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood playing in Boston this week. That being said, the field is still strong and the course often yields extremely low scores, making for an exciting tournament where most players in the field have a chance of victory.

Last year, Thomas Bjorn shot a final-round 62 to win for the second consecutive week and, perhaps unsurprisingly, he is one of the favourites this time around.

Alex Noren, at 20/1 with Ladbrokes, is a good bet this week. He is in good form, with two top tens in his last four outings and a solid 26th place finish at last week's Johnnie Walker Championship. He won the Omega Masters in 2009 and finished inside the top ten here last year.

Defending champion Thomas Bjorn is also worth a bet at 25/1 with Ladbrokes. He has fantastic memories of Crans Montagne after last year's victory and a fine record in the tournament. His form has been a little erratic this season, but he comes into the tournament full of confidence after playing some fine golf en route to a top ten at the Johnnie Walker.

It is also hard to ignore Miguel Angel Jimenez at 33/1 with Ladbrokes. His game is perfectly suited to Crans-sur-Sierre, as he demonstrated when winning the tournament in 2010 and finishing in the top ten last year. He will also be in good spirits after being named as Jose Maria Olazabal's fourth European vice-captain for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club.

Maarten Lafeber, at 100/1 with Ladbrokes, is a good each way bet. He is a quality golfer but had been languishing in the golfing depths for some time before a return to form at the Johnnie Walker, where he finished in a tie for third. He also moved into the top 115 in the Race to Dubai standings, and a mixture of relief, confidence and the desire to secure his 2013 tour card should spur him on this week.

Richard Finch, at 150/1 with Ladbrokes, could feature this week. He led at the half way point last week in Scotland and, despite a poor third round, he rallied with a closing 68 to infiltrate the top 20. He is a form player who tends to follow one good performance with another.

Omega European Masters advised bets:

2pts each way on Alex Noren at 20/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Thomas Bjorn at 25/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Miguel Angel Jimenez at 33/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Maarten Lafeber at 100/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Richard Finch at 150/1 with Ladbrokes

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x