Omega European Masters 2013 - Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland

The Wales Open in the end eventually provided some excitement down the stretch last week where Gregory Bourdy edged out Peter Uihlein with three birdies over his final three holes. Other than that, it was quite a damp squid but this week's fare from the Swiss Alps should provide a much more exciting four days of golf. If not the most picturesque golf course on Tour, its certainly a venue that the players and their "WAGS" look forward to and the field assembled is one of the best on the tour since July. 4 Major Winners lineup, Paul Larwie, Michael Campbell, Darren Clarke & Padraig Harrington. Indeed, its Cambo of the four that may look forward to a trip here the most of the four as he recorded his best results the previous two years at Crans when other results were less encouraging. (2 TOP25s)

The course is par 71, 6,800-yard course played at altitude, so I expect those with strong driving and GIR stats to perform well. It remains to be seen if the additional ponds and changes to the greens will make scoring more difficult than in previous years

Matteo Mannessero has decent form here the previous three years with results of T34th-T18th- 3. The Italian sits 5^th in the R2D standings as a result of solid play the first 6 months in 2013 and he will be anxious to get back to the “bread n butter” following two Majors and a WGC in his last 3 events. Ideal ball striker for Crans, with decent course results, he can add to his PGA Championship victory in May with another this week. As I tweeted on Monday, Matteo was available @33/1 with Ladbrokes       . 



My second selection to consider this week is Richard Sterne who following a long break from injury has bounced right back in 2013. He won the Joburg Open earlier this year and went close again in Paris finishing 2^nd and recorded a creditable T9th at the WGC Bridgestone. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship but will be at ease in Switzerland and if the price is right, could be a worthwhile bet to win. I've backed the South African @ 28/1. 

In my preview on Monday in Golfing Weekly, I had put up Joost Luiten, very much in form and a player that will go well here. But I don't think there is much value in backing the Dutchman @ 20/1 despite his obvious chances. Instead, I'm drawn to Mikko Ilonen who obliged for the blog at the Nordea Masters who can be backed @ 66/1 with Bet Victor, who are paying 6 places. He too, like Mannesero and Sterne has been playing WGC & Majors recently and having played Celtic Manor last week, will be anxious to put in a good tournament on a course he is well suited to. He missed the cut last year but has posted 2 TOP 10s in the previous 4 years.He is much more consistent in 2013 and can compete this week.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w M.Mannesero @ 33/1  Ladbrokes

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w R.Sterne @ 28/1 Ladbrokes

TIP 3: .1 pt e/w M.Ilonen @ 66/1  Bet Victor