British Masters betting tips and preview
Venue: Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey
Date: October 11-14, 2018
Course stats: Par 72, 7,394 yards
Purse: £3million
Defending champion: Paul Dunne (-20)
TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf – from 9.30am
Friday: Sky Sports Golf – from 9.30am
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf – from 11.30am
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf – from 10.30am
British Masters preview
Walton Heath is the host for this week’s British Masters as Moliwood makes its long-awaited return.
Well, it’s actually only been two weeks, but Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood captured the hearts of the continent in Paris and it’s clear that we’ve been all counting down the days until we get to witness this iconic duo back in action. It’s been far, far too long.
In a perfect world, they’ll be paired together for the opening two rounds before they both birdie the last on Sunday afternoon to finish tied on the same score, 10 shots clear of the rest of the field.
This is a partnership that has been formed through trust, modesty and emotion, and so when John Paramor ushers the two back towards the 18th tee for a playoff, Molinari interjects.
“No, no, no,” the Italian says.
“You are both tied – we need to take it to extra holes to settles this thing,” Paramor explains, with a confused look upon his face. “We’ll be playing 18, 18, 18, 10, 18, and if…”
“Look, John,” Fleetwood steps in. “Did you not see the Ryder Cup? Me and Fran, we’re a team. We win together, and we lose together.”
Molinari nods: “Tommy and I are sharing the trophy.”
The two embrace as the 18th grandstand goes up in rapturous applause.
“Fran, you can have the trophy this week, I’ll have it next week.”
“Sure thing, partner,” Molinari smiles, before the two trundle off to the Sky Cart to have a chat with a nonplussed Tim Barter.
Anyway, enough about last night’s dream. Let’s get to this week’s betting tips…
British Masters betting tips
Walton Heath hasn’t been used on the European Tour since 1991, but it has been the regular site for US Open qualifying since 2005 so we do have a little bit of course form to look back on.
Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood headline the field at 7/1 and 8/1 respectively, and the former has a chance to get back his World No. 1 status after Dustin Johnson leapfrogged him at the Tour Championship.
The reigning FedEx Cup champion has obvious claims, as do Molinari and Fleetwood, but there’s quite a bit of value here away from the top of the market, so I’ll cast my net over a quartet of long-odds players.
Going back to last year’s US Open qualifier, Brandon Stone (66/1, 7 places) secured a spot at Erin Hills 12 months ago and he looks a little overpriced at the current quotes.
The South African won the Scottish Open with a blistering final round 60 and he’s played really nicely ever since, despite taking a lengthy break from competition.
The 25-year-old secured his best ever major finish a month after that win in Scotland when he finished 12th at Bellerive at the PGA Championship, which was among far classier opposition than he’s typically used to.
Stone then took a five-week break before teeing it up on the South African Sunshine Tour where he finished 10th, and just last week he made his return to the European Tour when securing a top-10 at the Dunhill Links Championship.
That’s Keel’s top tip for glory at the British Masters – but he has three players in mind that can make you some serious profit. Find out who they are on the next page…
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
