The DP World Tour reaches the British Isles for the first time since it’s new beginnings with the British Masters at Brabazon Course, The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, England.
The 156 field,with again the Top 65 including ties making the cut, will all be competing for a share of the £1.85m prize purse with the winner collecting the title and a cheque for £308,395.
The Betfred British Masters will be hosted by Danny Willet with a little help from Lee Westwood, both will not just be in attendance but also competing.
The DP World Tour's return to the British mainland can only mean one thing, The 150th Open Championship is just around the corner. It’s only a matter of weeks away now, nine to be exact. We will be treated to many more events all across the UK in the build up to The Open over the next few weeks as we keep a close eye on who’s performing and who’s not.
This stunning and iconic Belfry track will be playing 7,328 yards this week, it’s a par 72 parkland layout where accuracy from tee to green will be the key too success.
Richard Bland returns to defend his title, if you remember it was his maiden DP World Tour title last time and a very emotional moment for the 49 year old veteran from Burton on Trent.
The weather is forecast to be cloudy but calm throughout with sunny intervals and only gentle breezes to contend with.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf & Sky Sports Main Event with live coverage starting at 1.30pm GMT on Thursday afternoon.
So lets move on with our selections for this weeks British Masters.
Jordan Smith
For my first and main selection at the Belfry I’m going to single out Jordan Smith 28/1 EW Bet365. The 29 year old from Bath, England ticks all the boxes for me this week and arrives here with the stats that matter.
He is currently ranked 1st on the DP World Tour tee to green and that could be the clue right there that could prove pivotal. I tipped Smith last week at the Catalunya Championship where he finished inside the Top 20. He’s been flashing up on the radar for a while now and another victory seems on the horizon.
His only DP World Tour crown to date is the European Porsche Open in 2017 but Smith has come close on so many occasions.
Last week in Girona was Smith's first appearance since the Qatar Masters. He has now finished inside the Top 20 on six of his last seven attempts so doesn’t only come here with the stats that matter but also with form in the bag. This year alone Smith has finished runner-up at two events, T2nd at the recent MyGolfLife Open and 2nd at the Ras Al Khaimah Chanpionship.
The signs are there and the writing could be on the wall for Jordan Smith to double up on his DP World Tour crowns with a well deserved victory at the British Masters on Sunday afternoon.
Marcus Armitage
For my next suggestion I’m going to look for some good old value and point you in the direction of Marcus Armitage 66/1 EW Bet365.
The 34 year old Englishman from Salford is a birdie-machine when he gets going and could make the firms look silly if he lands the title at 66/1.
In the nine events that Armitage has played this year he has finished inside the Top 20 on five occasions. It gets even better as two of those were Top 10 finishes with the best of the bunch being 5th at the Qatar Masters, the other being 9th at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
Armitage got that monkey off his back when winning his maiden DP World Tour title at last year's Porsche European Open. He is currently ranked 11th on the Tour this year tee to green where he has had 72.43 % success. That reads good in any form book and it could be key to Marcus Armitage winning the British Masters safe in the knowledge that just a place returns decent each way value.
Oliver Bekker
For my next selection I’m really liking the look of Oliver Bekker 35/1 EW 1-6 places BetVictor.
The 37 year old from Pretoria, South Africa is all over my radar at the moment. He is certainly knocking on the door and was so unlucky when Adri Arnaus beat him in a play-off at the Catalunya Championship last weekend. It doesn’t get much closer than that and went to the sixth play off hole in a tense play-off but Arnaus came up trumps.
That runners-up place however, saw Bekker rise into the World's Top 100 players and that will give him plenty confidence to rise even further up the rankings.
Bekker also ranks 3rd on the DP World Tour this year for stoke average, his recent form has been phenomenal. In the nine DP World Tour events Bekker has played he’s finished inside the Top 10 on no less than six occasions, it would have been seven if it wasn’t for 11th place at the MyGolfLife Open.
This is form that can’t be ignored, so I say, discard Oliver Bekker at your peril.
This could be the weekend that Bekker leaves his mark on the DP World Tour after so much success on the Sunshine Tour. He’s sticking out head and shoulders above most in this field so my advice is take the 35/1 while it’s available.
Marcus Armitage v Romain Langasque
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and this week I’m going to stick with Marcus Armitage to beat Romain Langasque over 72 holes 10/11 Betfair.
British Masters Tips
- Jordan Smith 28/1 EW Bet365
- Marcus Armitage 66/1 EW Bet365
- Oliver Bekker 35/1 EW BetVictor
- Marcus Armitage to beat Romain Langasque 10/11 Nap Betfair, 72 hole matchbet
What you think of the chances for Bob Macintyre?
Another of my favourites as you probably know wilkyboy1. I’d say Bob has a realistic change of producing the goods especially at the Belfry. Don’t ask me why I never included him in this weeks selections. He may make me tegret that but I’d still be more than happy to see Bob win the British Masters this weekend. 🏴 Good luck wilkyboy1 🤞 ⛳️
Realistic chance that’ll be 🙈 🤣⛳️
Going with the only guys form i feel i cant trust, Meronk 20/1 e/w 10 places Boylesports BOL
Good luck audioban,🤞 surprised you haven’t included your good friend Bob either .You know what comes next eh ,,Oor Bob will probably run away with it now ⛳️🏌️♂️