The European Tour gets back underway after a few weeks’ break with the D+D Real Czech Masters. It is the latest in a run of quality tournaments taking place in Europe but it is fair to say this is not the strongest field we’ll see in the next couple of months. That said, some stand out stars and a host of up and coming players will be competing at the well regarded Albatross Golf Resort.
Nobody in this week’s field has won as many times as Lee Westwood. The Englishman is approaching veteran status in the game but he’s going through a purple patch currently which may well result in a win in Prague.
Top Tips
Lee Westwood @ 14/1
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Course Info
This is the sixth edition of the D+D Real Czech Masters and, like the other five, it is being hosted by Albatross Golf Resort. As the name suggests, this is a course for tourists most of the year but the event organisers have worked hard to ensure it is up to the challenge of hosting the European Tour.
Albatross can stretch to a maximum yardage of 7,467 yards. That is long enough for a par 72 course to include holes that are serious challenges of distance. There is wiggle room in terms of the tees used to create par fives that are reachable in two and a driveable par four. Generally speaking though, it takes a certain amount of power to have a chance of winning the Czech Masters.
| Course | Location | Length | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albatross Golf Resort | Prague, Czech Republic | 7,467 Yards | €1,000,000 |
Recent Winners
The most interesting thing about the five previous winners of the Czech Masters is the lack of course form. Each of the four most recent winners had missed the cut at Albatross Golf Resort whilst the best previous result was the Andrea Pavan’s 39th. Pavan and Paul Peterson wouldn’t be described as short hitters but they don’t have the same sort of power as Thomas Pieters, Haydn Porteous or Jamie Donaldson. Those three all used their driving distance well but the five renewals show that putting is the most important attribute at Albatross.
| Year | Winner | To Par | Winning Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Andrea Pavan | -22 | 2 Strokes |
| 2017 | Haydn Porteous | -13 | 2 Strokes |
| 2016 | Paul Peterson | -15 | 1 Stroke |
| 2015 | Thomas Pieters | -20 | 3 Strokes |
| 2014 | Jamie Donaldson | -14 | 2 Strokes |
Analysis: Rain Plays Into the Hands of the Big Hitters
Although the stats suggest that hitting a high percentage of fairways and greens is important, that is relatively easy given the wide fairways and big putting surfaces. The bigger hitters love the chance to open their shoulders and swing hard off the tee and they’ve been handed a further advantage by the rain that’s fallen in Prague lately.
What we’re looking for is a big hitter who will be able to maximise their power with some high class iron play and consistent putting.
Westwood Has the Right Stuff
Lee Westwood has been steadily climbing the world rankings over the last year. For a short while it looked as though his incredible career at the top level of golf was petering out but a slight change in approach has had the desired effect.
Westwood has worked very hard on his fitness and has limited his schedule to ensure he is fresh enough to compete every time he tees it up. That’s seen him return to the winner’s circle in the Nedbank Golf Challenge and finish fourth at the Open. He’ll now return to the Masters next year but the shorter term goal is to finish as well as he can in the Race to Dubai. A win this week would do those chances the power of good. As he is one of the best drivers of a golf ball around and is striking his irons as well as ever, he’ll be feeling good about his chances of winning at 14/1 with Betfred.
Slattery’s Game Has Returned
Lee Slattery travelled to the Irish Open on the back of six missed cuts. That is not a good mental place for a golfer to be in so his 27th place finish was greeted with a combination of surprise and delight. Slattery used the extra confidence he gained from that performance to very good effect next time out when he claimed a ninth place finish in the Scottish Open.
Unfortunately, his inability to qualify for the Open means it has been a month since Slattery played any competitive golf. He will return to action fresh and chomping at the bit to continue his recent form. That is well within his capabilities at a course at which he has finished fourth and second in his last two starts so back Slattery each way at 50/1 with Ladbrokes.
Final Verdict: Lee Westwood to Win
There are some promising younger players in the field for the D+D Real Czech Masters but it is a pair of experienced Englishmen who are fancied to go well. Lees Westwood and Slattery each have the game to make a real run at the title this week with the former getting preference for a win bet and the latter looking an excellent each way option.