The European Tour heads to one of the most picturesque tracks in the rotation this week and grabs the golf headlines with the PGA Tour season completed. The field gathers along the Swiss Alps for the playing of the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. The tournament benefits from the new schedule with FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy the marquee name in the field, even if he is just fulfilling sponsorship commitments. McIlroy is the betting favorite at top golf sportsbooks, but how motivated is he going to be? McIlroy is included in a few matchups with odds for those head-to-head battles listed below. Visit BookMaker.eu when you’re ready to make a wager.
Omega European Masters Matchup Odds at BookMaker.eu
Matthias Schwab -115 vs. Aaron Rai -105
Julian Suri -125 vs. Edoardo Molinari +105
Pablo Larrazabal +100 vs. Nacho Elvira -120
Ross Fisher +100 vs. Fabrizio Zanotti -120
Adri Arnaus -105 vs. Alexander Levy -115
Romain Langasque -105 vs. Jordan Smith -115
Gavin Green -115 vs. Christiaan Bezuidenhout -105
Andy Sullivan -115 vs. Eddie Pepperell -105
Matthew Fitzpatrick -115 vs. Tommy Fleetwood -105
Mike Lorenzo-Vera +100 vs. Lee Westwood -120
Sergio Garcia -125 vs. Thomas Pieters +105
Alexander Bjork -125 vs. Jorge Campillo +105
Sam Horsfield -110 vs. Marcus Kinhult -110
Troy Merritt -140 vs. Robert MacIntyre +120
Ryan Fox +100 vs. Haydn Porteous -120
Bernd Wiesberger -115 vs. Thomas Pieters -105
Bernd Wiesberger +100 vs. Sergio Garcia -120
Joost Luiten -115 vs. Thomas Detry -105
Danny Willett -105 vs. Rory Sabbatini -115
Matt Wallace +100 vs. Erik Van Rooyen -120
Rory McIlroy -165 vs. Matthew Fitzpatrick +145
Alex Noren -105 vs. Erik Van Rooyen -115
Matt Wallace -115 vs. Alex Noren -105
Andrea Pavan -120 vs. Lucas Bjerregaard -110
Rory McIlroy -195 vs. Tommy Fleetwood +160
Benjamin Hebert -120 vs. Dean Burmester -110
Jamie Donaldson -105 vs. Jason Scrivener -125
Lee Slattery +105 vs. Matthew Southgate -135
Mikko Korhonen -135 vs. Richard Sterne +105
Victor Dubuisson +105 vs. Victor Perez -135
Need to Know
The beauty of Crans-sur-Sierre will keep players in a blissful mood all week, but ultimately they are here to win. The track measures 6,848 yards so it isn’t long. And playing at altitude shrinks it even more. That makes distance off the tee less attractive and evens the playing field. Look for players with a strong approach game as eight of the past 12 winners placed either first or second in GIR. Course experience is more important than course form considering Crans-sur-Sierre doesn’t resemble most tracks on tour. Adjustments for yardage and altitude are needed at every hole, and the greens are smaller than usual. I’ll take my best shot at a some matchups looking to improve on my 2-3 record from last week.
Omega European Masters Matchup Picks
Erik Van Rooyen -115 vs. Alex Noren
It’s been a long time coming, but EVR finally got that maiden Euro Tour win with a blistering -19 at last week’s Scandinavian Invite. And the way he’s been playing all season it was just a matter of time. Prior to his win Van Rooyen went T5-T20-T14 with 10 of his past 16 rounds at or below 68. That’s quality golf. He may be facing the same fate as McIlroy with a little – or big – winner’s hangover, but I like him in this matchup against a fading Noren.
Matthew Fitzpatrick +145 vs. Rory McIlroy
I thought about this matchup and was originally leaning toward McIlroy, even after he cleaned up last week. But the more I thought about it, what’s Rory’s motivation? And he’s here to honor a sponsor agreement so I doubt he’s going to be completely into it. That’s why I’m going to back Fitzpatrick at an enticing number. And he’s no slouch. Fitz has won the last two editions and he’s been so good it cost him last week with a wicked shot that bounced off the pin. Before his two straight wins Fitz went T7 and solo second proving he has mastered the layout.
Danny Willett -105 vs. Rory Sabbatini
Another player who has performed remarkably well along the Alps is Willett, who I’m backing in this matchup. He’s missed one cut in 10 starts at Crans-sur-Sierre and took the title in 2015. He also has a T2 in 2012 and a T5 in 2014, so the win wasn’t completely unexpected. And he’s further proof that experience on this tricky layout is just as important as GIR. He’s also fixed on making up for last year’s blowup when he was in the top-5 after 36 holes only to shot a 79 on Saturday. Recent form has been strong, but experience takes him ahead of Sabbatini.
Bernd Wiesberger +100 vs. Sergio Garcia
I’ve leaned on Wiesberger several times this year banking on his comeback, and he’s come through with a reenergized game after overcoming injury issues. The Austrian has a pair of ET wins in his last nine starts and has played consistent golf. The results weren’t the best his last two turns, but this track is more to his liking and he showed why with a T6 and T13 previously. Garcia will give it a go but he’s likely to have a meltdown, giving the edge to Wiesberger.
Matthias Schwab -115 vs. Aaron Rai
Excelling on tough tee-to-green layouts is a gift, and Schwab has it. His best performances have taken place on those courses and he’s coming off a T5 last time out at the Czech Masters, which was much needed after three straight MCs. Three of his four top-10 finishes this season came on layouts that are considered more difficult, so the signs are there for another strong showing. He may not win the tournament, but he should finish higher than his matchup partner.
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