It’s the last event before the cut-off to earn European Ryder Cup team points, but who wins in Switzerland…
The Omega European Masters takes place in Switzerland this week but who will lift one of the DP World Tour’s oldest titles?
It is the 100th anniversary of the original Swiss Open, which was won by Scotland’s Alec Ross in 1923. He would win the tournament three times, a record held with France’s Auguste Boyer and Marcel Dallemagne, Welshman Dai Rees, South Africa’s Harold Henning and the great Seve Ballesteros.
Who will win the title this week though? Matt Coles gives us his picks for this week in Switzerland…
Omega European Masters betting tips and preview
Venue: Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Date: August 31 – September 3, 2023
Course stats: Par 71, 6,865 yards
Course summary: The Severiano Ballesteros course at Crans-sur-Sierre has hosted this tournament since 1939, and has provided many magical memories. The layout provides incredible views of the Alps and beyond, and due to its altitude, it plays shorter than it says on the card.
Defending champion: Thriston Lawrence (-18)
Omega European Masters betting tips
Ludvig Aberg @ 16/1 with William Hill
I mentioned Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg last week as a possible shout at the D+D Real Czech Masters. He started his first DP World Tour event as a professional on European soil with an eagle, and eventually came home in a tie for 4th.
The Swede continues to increase his stock every week, and the Omega European Masters could be the place where he gets that first professional win under his belt.
He also finished T4 at the John Deere Classic earlier this season on the PGA Tour and has been touted as one of the breakout stars in the game of golf for both this year and in 2024.
At 16/1, Aberg does not give the best odds this week. In fact, he is the second favourite, but after a top five finish last week, and with one more week before captain Luke Donald makes his Ryder Cup selections, the Swede is a good take to win in Crans-sur-Sierre.
Nicolai Hojgaard @ 16/1 with William Hill
Also at 16/1 this week is Nicolai Hojgaard, one of the twins aiming to get a spot on this year’s Ryder Cup team. Both he and his brother Rasmus are in action in Switzerland this week.
Nicolai has two top tens in his last three outings on the DP World Tour, including a 3rd place finish at the D+D Real Czech Masters at Albatross Golf Club on Sunday afternoon.
The Dane also finished inside the top ten at the Genesis Scottish Open earlier this summer. Add to that a top-25 finish in the year’s last major, the Open Championship, and Hojgaard is in great form.
At 16/1, Hojgaard is joint-second favourite alongside Aberg, and I fancy the pair of them to do well this week in Crans-sur-Sierre.
Thorbjorn Olesen @ 45/1 each way with William Hill
My outside bet for this week is another Dane, in Thorbjorn Olesen. He has been in good form recently, with three top-25 finishes in his last five DP World Tour events.
He came home in a tie for 11th at Albatross Golf Club in the Czech Republic last week, adding to good results at the Betfred British Masters and the Genesis Scottish Open.
The Omega European Masters has also been a Danish paradise over the last 12 years, with three editions of the tournament being won by players from the Scandinavian country. Thomas Bjorn is a two-time winner, while Rasmus Hojgaard lifted the trophy in 2021.
Olesen comes into the Omega European Masters as an outside call at 45/1, but he is in good form, and at a place the Danes know how to win.
Best of the rest…
Matt Fitzpatrick: He is the favourite for this event, and at just 8/1, the odds for a Matt Fitzpatrick victory are not high.
However, the Englishman is a two-time winner on thie golf course, having claimed the Omega European Masters title in both 2017 and 2018. He also finished runner-up in 2015, and comes in to this week in great form. Fitzy came runner-up at the BMW Championship before ending the PGA Tour season with a top ten at the Tour Championship on Sunday.
Matt Wallace: Another Englishman, another Matt. This time it’s Matt Wallace, who came runner-up to Todd Clements in the D+D Real Czech Masters on Sunday afternoon in Prague.
He has made the short trip to Crans-sur-Sierre, to a golf course where he also finished runner-up at the Omega European Masters twelve months ago. At 22/1, Wallace is a good tip to finally get back into the winners’ circle.
Rasmus Hojgaard: I picked his brother earlier, and I am also adding Rasmus Hojgaard into the mix for the title in Crans-sur-Sierre this weekend.
He is at 25/1 currently, but he was the victor at this tournament in 2021. Aiming for a late surge into Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team, Hojgaard could be another man to watch this week.
Fancy a punt on this week’s action? Take a look at the latest odds with William Hill.
Who would you put your money on if you’re betting on the Omega European Masters? Who is going to do well at Crans-sur-Sierre this week? Let me know with a Tweet!
More podcasts from National Club Golfer
