The European Tour makes the short trip from Oman to Qatar as Justin Harding bids to defend his Qatar Masters title on a new course
Martin Kaymer headlines the field once again as the European Tour continues its stay in the Middle East. The German and plenty others in the field look to be big threats to Justin Harding’s title. Check out my Qatar Masters betting tips below.
The details
Venue: Education City GC, Doha, Qatar
Date: March 5-8 2020
Course stats: Par 71; 7,307 yards – The 18-hole Championship Course is the newest course in Qatar and is a fairly flat layout which will be exposed to the wind. Low scoring looks like it could be likely but as with any new tour stop there is an element of the unknown.
Friday: 7.30am (Sky Sports Golf), 11am (Sky Sports Golf and Main Event)
Saturday: 9am (Sky Sports Golf)
Sunday: 9am (Sky Sports Golf)
Qatar Masters betting tips: Who to back each-way
Ross Fisher (30/1 with bet365) has enjoyed a strong start to 2020 with a missed cut at the Dubai Desert Classic his only finish week outside of the top 10.
Fisher tied for 6th in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and took a share of 10th last week which was all the more impressive considering he slumped to a second-round 75 before regaining his form over the weekend. His week in Saudi also could have been better but for an ordinary third round.
There is plenty of potential there again this week and, with conditions likely to be similar or even better than last week, he could well find the four rounds he needs to be seriously in contention.
Grant Forrest (80/1) is another looking to continue some good form in the Middle East this week after a tie for 10th in Oman.
The Scot had finishes of 16th and 27th before taking a couple of weeks off prior to last week’s event and despite finishing 69th at this event last year at its previous venue, he has the potential to secure a place.
This season he is ranked 7th in Driving Distance on the European Tour and this could be a big advantage, particularly if he if he is able to use this to take advantage of the three par 5s on this layout.
Head to the next page for my top tip…
Qatar Masters betting tips: Top tip
George Coetzee (28/1) is very well priced in the market and I would have been happy to back him at even shorter odds considering his form both recently and in Qatar previously.
The recently-married South African likes to play a lot and is often seen on the Sunshine Tour when he’s not playing on the European Tour. This has its pros and cons but he obviously feels comfortable staying on the road rather than taking time off.
As the European Tour returned to its usual action after the WGC break last week in Oman, Coetzee finished 6th and this could have been down, at least in part, to the fact that he had played himself into form on his home tour while the majority of the field were taking the time off.
He had two top 10s prior to Oman and I expect a performance of the same ilk this week. He took a share of second last year, albeit at a different course but the conditions should suit and he’s priced well enough for both outright and each-way backers.