As the world’s golf elite gather at TPC Sawgrass the European Tour continues this week with the Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club in Doha,Qatar.
The 144-strong field will be competing on this par 71 desert course for the $1.5million purse with $250,000 to the winner.
Jorge Campillo will return to defend the title he won last year when he beat David Drysdale at the fifth extra hole in a dramatic play-off.
This is one of the more testing desert courses in the Middle East for players to negotiate with bunkers galore and many trouble spots to avoid. The key attribute this week will be accuracy with greens in regulation the main priority .
The weather is forecast to be sunny and hot as one would expect in the desert but winds are expected to pick up over the weekend to make conditions more testing.
The event will be screened on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf starting 8.30am GMT Thursday.
Antoine Rozner
For my first and main selection in Qatar I’m going to advise Antoine Rozner 28/1 each-way at Betfair.
The Golf in Dubai Championship in December provided the Frenchman with his maiden European Tour title and he really seems to enjoy playing on these desert tracks .
In the past few weeks since winning in Dubai, Rozner has finished 16th at Abu Dhabi, 9th at the Dubai Desert Classic and 26th at the star-studded Saudi International.
With accuracy being the name of the game this week, Rozner can certainly own these credentials with his long and straight ball striking.
The 28 year old Frenchman has risen from being 204th in the world rankings at this event last year to 97th as we head into this tournament, figures that suggest their is more to come from this talented golfer.
With all the top ranked golfers at TPC Sawgrass this week Rozner can take advantage with another victory on the European Tour.
Matthias Schwab
For my next selection I’m going to suggest Matthias Schwab 36/1 each-way at Betfair.
The young Austrian has been in fine form of late and I feel it’s just a matter of time before he makes his breakthrough on the European Tour. If he can just figure out how to make improving adjustments with his putter then this will significantly improve his chances of winning that maiden title.
In 2020 he finished 3rd at the Barracuda Championship on The PGA Tour and on the European Tour he also finished 3rd at the BMW International Open.
He has been knocking on the door with runners up spots at the Porsche European Open and also the Turkish Airlines Open.
Schwab most recently finished 9th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic so I’m predicting the young 26 year old Austrian to be in contention and be there or thereabouts come Sunday afternoon at an attractive price.
George Coetzee
For my next pick I’m going to recommend George Coetzee 30/1 each-way Bet365.
The South African really seems to enjoy this event and finished 7th in his most recent appearance. He has been producing good form lately especially on these desert courses finishing 10th at the Saudi International and 11th at the Abu Dhabi Championship.
Coetzee, unlike many in this field, has plenty of experience and knows what it feels like to win an event on the Tour with his most recent victory coming last year at The Portugal Masters.
The 34 year old South African can also boast a top 10 finish at a major when finishing 7th at The PGA Championship so experience may well prevail in a field not featuring to many winners. If Coetzee can bring his A- game then he may just prove the one to beat in Qatar this weekend.
George Coetzee v Kurt Kitayama
For my final selection I’m going to stick with George Coetzee to beat Kurt Kitayama in a 72 hole match bet 10/11 Nap Bet365.
Well done with the rozner tip,he was Steve Palmers headline tip in the racing post as well.