Qatar Masters preview: TV times and betting tips
The European Tour returns to the Middle East this week for the Commercialbank Qatar Masters. So who are we backing for glory? More on that in a bit, but first…
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Commercialbank Qatar Masters: The details
Venue: Education City Golf Club, Doha, Qatar
Date: March 11-14, 2021
Course stats: Par 71; 7,307 yards
Course summary: Water and wind are the main defences to this exposed desert track, with relatively forgiving rough that shouldn’t cause the players too many problems. The greens are guarded by a barrage of bunkers, so a consistent short game and solid scrambling are vital for success here.
Purse: $1.5 Million
Defending champion: Jorge Campillo (-13)
Commercialbank Qatar Masters: TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30am; and Sky Sports Red Button from 11.30am
Friday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30am; and Sky Sports Red Button from 11.30am
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 9am
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 9am
Commercialbank Qatar Masters: Staking plan
Calum Hill – 2.5pts e/w @ 40/1 with Bet365
Hill arrives in Qatar off the back of his best European Tour performance to date, securing a T4 finish in illustrious company at the Saudi International. An opening 65 certainly boosted momentum, when he could easily have been overwhelmed by the quality in the field, ranking 4th for SG: Putting over the four rounds. This area of his game has been strong all season, ranking 5th for SG: Putting on tour, and has played a big part in Hill’s run of three top-20 finishes in his last four events. On a course that can quickly punish you if not at your best, it is encouraging to see Hill ranks 8th for Bogeys per Round, making less than two on average.
Kalle Samooja – 2pts e/w @ 50/1 with Bet365
Samooja rounded off 2020 in style, securing his best European Tour finish when runner-up at the Cyprus Open. This momentum transferred seamlessly to the start of the 2021 season, finishing T4 at the Dubai Desert Classic. The most appealing aspect of this selection is the T3 finish at this event last year, especially considering the progress he looks to have made in the last 12 months. Samooja also currently ranks 25th for SG: Around-the-Green, which will serve him well at a course that requires a consistent and creative short game.
Chris Paisley – 1pt e/w @ 70/1 with Bet365
Paisley has kicked off the 2021 season in fine form, with a 7th place and a 21st place finish in his first three events. These results both came in the desert, and as a player known for his miraculous short game he certainly fits the bill here. Paisley has previous course form, finishing 7th here last season, and has experience playing well in windy conditions. His recent performances also demonstrate that he fits the profile statistically, ranking 19th for SG: Around-the-Green and 6th for SG: Putting this season.
Jazz Janewattananond 1pt e/w @ 100/1 with Bet365
Janewattananond played brilliantly for three rounds in Florida at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, only for a dismal 12-over-par final round to catapult him back through the leaderboard. This selection is more about a gut instinct, and a price that seems far too high, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Janewattananond go well as an each-way shout.
Wade Ormsby- 1pt e/w @ 110/1 with Bet365
After shooting an opening 68 at the WGC-Workday Championship, Ormsby should arrive here with plenty of confidence. A T52 finish will not have been exactly what Ormsby was after at the Concession, but this is a weaker field and he will fancy his chances here. In his opening two starts of the season, Ormsby finished T12 and T22 on desert tracks and produced seven under-par rounds out of the eight played. His short game also fits the brief for this course, ranking 28th for SG: Around-the-green and 22nd for SG: Putting. Ormsby hasn’t won on the European Tour since 2017, but his recent performances suggest that this week could be a great opportunity to change that.
For more prices, visit Bet365.
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