The European Tour travels to Austria this week for the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg.
The Lyoness Open traditionally attracts one of the weakest fields of the season, but a number European Tour stalwarts are taking part this week.
The likes of Pablo Larrazabal, Thomas Bjorn, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Simon Dyson and defending champion Bernd Wiesberger will all be vying for glory.
Austrian Wiesberger thrilled home fans last year by playing the last ten holes in seven under par to edge out Thomas Levet and Shane Lowry.
The tournament again returns to Diamond Country Club - which took over as host venue in 2010 - and birdies will be the order of the day.
It's a relatively long track strewn with water hazards, but low scores are in the offing, especially on a back nine that's 300 yards shorter that it's counterpart.
This week, Wiesberger is the overwhelming favourite, but odds of 6/1 with Ladbrokes will be too short for many punters. Thomas Bjorn, at 16/1 with Ladbrokes, is one of the best players in the field this week, and his current form offers cause for optimism. He's notched two top-ten finishes in his last three starts, including a tie for eight at the Volvo China Open and a tie for fourth at last week's Nordea Masters, where he ranked third in Putts Per Round. His all-round game looks in good shape and he'll be confident heading into a tournament with a relatively weak field.
Ricard Karlberg, at 33/1 with Labrokes, is one to keep an eye on this week. At the Nordea Masters, where he finished in a tie for fourth, he ranked 11th in Driving Distance, 18th in Greens in Regulation, 16th in Putts Per GIR and 15th in Putts Per Round - a deadly combination. He's also got a good record at the Lyoness Open, where he came fourth last year.
Peter Whiteford, at 60/1 with Ladbrokes, is surprisingly high priced this week. He lost out in a play-off at the Ballantine's Championship at the end of April and played some fine golf at last week's Nordea Masters, where he fired a 63 en route to a top 15 finish. He's notched four top 25s in his last six starts and looks poised to break his European Tour duck in the not-too-distant future.
Fredrik Andersson Hed, at 100/1 with Ladbrokes, is a good outside bet this week. The big Swede has been out of sorts this season, but he showed some good form in the early stages of the Nordea Masters. Andersson Hed should be well suited to this golf course and he normally comes into form during the summer months.
Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity advised bets:
3pts on Thomas Bjorn at 16/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts on Rikard Karlberg at 33/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on David Howell at 40/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Peter Whiteford at 60/1 with Ladbrokes 1pts each way on Fredrik Andersson Hed at 100/1 with Ladbrokes
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