The European Tour officially gets underway this week with the playing of the Betfred British Masters following a couple of low-key dual-ranking events with the Challenge Tour. Some of the bigger names on Tour make their initial appearance post-shutdown, but the field is missing elite players who have decided to test their mettle on the PGA Tour. That doesn’t take away from the importance of this event, especially for the UK-based players, who view this as their major. Tournament host Lee Westwood has played Close House Golf Club more than any golfer in the field and even has his name on the host layout, that’s why he opened as the betting favorite and is featured in several tournament matchups. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of tournament matchup odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Betfred British Masters Matchup Odds at BookMaker.eu
Sam Horsfield -160 vs. Marcus Armitage +140
Alexander Bjork +105 vs. Mikko Korhonen -125
Ryan Fox -110 vs. Jordan Smith -110
Kalle Samooja -120 vs. Connor Syme +100
Adri Arnaus -120 vs. Pablo Larrazabal +100
Paul Dunne +135 vs. Julian Suri -155
Marcus Kinhult -120 vs. Eddie Pepperell +100
Guido Migliozzi -115 vs. Jeff Winther -105
Alexander Bjork +105 vs. Andy Sullivan -125
Lee Westwood -115 vs. Thomas Detry -105
Thomas Detry -160 vs. Marcus Kinhult +140
Callum Shinkwin +100 vs. Louis De Jager -120
Brandon Stone -150 vs. Marc Warren +130
Mikko Korhonen -115 vs. Andy Sullivan -105
Miguel Angel Jimenez +100 vs. Matthieu Pavon -120
Lee Westwood -160 vs. Eddie Pepperell +140
Alexander Levy -115 vs. Grant Forrest -105
Chris Paisley +105 vs. Andrew Johnston -125
Adri Arnaus -105 vs. Romain Langasque -115
Lee Westwood -140 vs. Marcus Kinhult +120
Romain Langasque -125 vs. Pablo Larrazabal +105
Antoine Rozner -115 vs. Soren Kjeldsen -105
Thomas Detry -190 vs. Eddie Pepperell +158
Jordan Smith -120 vs. Ross Fisher -110
Matthew Jordan +100 vs. Justin Harding -130
Richie Ramsay -110 vs. Jason Scrivener -120
Dean Burmester -115 vs. Scott Vincent -115
Jack Senior -140 vs. Clement Sordet +110
Adrian Otaegui -145 vs. Sami Valimaki +115
Adrien Saddier -120 vs. Min Woo Lee -110
Need to Know
The British Masters rotates venues and is returning to Close House for the first time since 2017. Marcus Kinhult is the defending champ winning last year at Hillside Golf Club. Paul Dunne had a tournament for the ages in 2017 posting an aggregate tournament record 260 en route to a 3-shot win over Rory McIlroy, demonstrating just how manageable the course is. There haven’t been too many changes over the years and Westwood seemingly has an advantage over the field since this is his home turf. Heck, the course is even named after him. The Lee Westwood Colt Course at Close House plays at 6,872 yards from the tips and is straightforward in its design. In other words it’s pretty easy. Due to its length a tidy short game will go a long way toward determining a winner.
Odds Analysis
Connor Syme +100 vs. Kalle Samooja
The young Scot had a nice showing prior to the shutdown with a top-10 in Oman and returned from the break grabbing a share of fourth at the Austrian Open. He’s deadly accurate and Close House plays right into his game meaning he should stay out of trouble long enough to overcome his matchup partner. He won on the Challenge Tour last season among his six top-10s making him a player to watch.
Paul Dunne +135 vs. Julian Suri
Maybe a return to the scene of his biggest moment in golf can reignite Dunne’s career. It’s been nine months since he picked up a stick and even back then things were not going well. He missed the cut in six straight starts before going on the shelf with a wrist injury. He even lost his Tour card making his return that much more important. Three years ago on this very course, Dunne fired a final round 61 to hold off Rory McIlroy. Fittingly his return comes at the site of his greatest success. The price is tempting for a guy who manhandled the layout previously.
Chris Paisley +105 vs. Andrew Johnston
Since I’m leaning toward Westwood due to his extensive knowledge of the course I have to do the same for Paisley. He’s another local who’s played Close House a lot giving me confidence that he can succeed in this matchup. Another reason is Paisley’s touch on and around the greens. That’s something that can’t be excused in this tournament. He hasn’t fared well in this event and missed the cut at Close House in 2017, but I’m counting on his improved game since then being the difference.
Alexander Levy -115 vs. Grant Forrest
It’s a stretch to side with Levy since recent positive results on Tour have been absent. He found time during the shutdown to play and he performed well giving backers a reason to be optimistic. Maybe working with a new coach is starting to pay off. Past wins at the Trophee Hassan II and Porsche Open came on similar tidy courses and improved ball-striking prior to the shutdown are signs pointing in Levy’s direction.
Lee Westwood -115 vs. Thomas Detry -105
Based on his resume and knowing Close House is his home away from home, Westwood is the favorite for a reason. That doesn’t mean he’s going to win the tournament, but he doesn’t have to deal with all the stuff that a host typically deals with. No fans at the course means Westwood can concentrate on golf, and that’s his plan. He helped design the layout and has played it numerous times since reopening. That’s an advantage that’s hard to overlook so I’ll back him in his own backyard.
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