Portugal Masters: golf betting guide
This week, the European Tour heads to the Algarve for the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Club in Vilamoura.
The tournament is the penultimate event of the regular European Tour season, with the inaugural Finals Series only open to those inside the top 110 in the Race to Dubai standings.
Those languishing outside that mark only have two tournaments - the Portugal Masters and next week's Perth International - to secure their playing privileges for next season.
They will face a tough task this week, with a selection of the European Tour's best players in action.
The likes of Martin Kaymer, Nicolas Colsaerts, Francesco Molinari, Matteo Manassero and Miguel Angel Jimenez will join defending champion Shane Lowry in Portugal.
Kaymer is the 12/1 favourite with Ladbrokes, but there is better value elsewhere in the field.
I like the look of Colsaerts, at 20/1 with Ladbrokes. After a lacklustre season in America, the Belgian Bomber has found some form in Europe. He finished inside the top five at the Italian Open and registered 3.5 points at last week's Seve Trophy. His length and aggressive disposition should also be significant attributes on a relatively easy golf course.
Tommy Fleetwood, at 40/1 with Ladbrokes, is one of the European Tour's form players. He won the Johnnie Walker Championship, finished ninth at the Omega European Masters and fifth at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Fleetwood also defeated in-form Joost Luiten in the singles at the Seve Trophy.
Tom Lewis, at 50/1 with Ladbrokes, looks promising this week. The Englishman secured his 2013 European Tour card with a sterling performance at the Johnnie Walker Championship, and he'll be confident and carefree returning to the site of his first and only European Tour victory.
Scott Jamieson, at 80/1 with Ladbrokes, looks well priced this week. The Scotsman played some good golf at the Seve Trophy, finished 17th St Andrews the week before that and notched a top 25 in Italy, so he's in good form. He also came 12th in last year's Portugal Masters at Oceanico Victoria.
Richard Finch, at 125/1 with Ladbrokes, is one of those players in need of a big week. The Englishman currently ranks 134th on the Race to Dubai, but he's made his last four cuts and shown glimpses of top form in recent months. The Portugal Masters - where he finished 5th last year - represents his best chance to keep hold of a European Tour card.
Portugal Masters advised bets:
3pts each way on Nicolas Colsaerts at 20/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Tommy Fleetwood at 40/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Tom Lewis at 50/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Scott Jamieson at 80/1 with Ladbrokes 1pt each way on Richard Finch at 125/1 with Ladbrokes
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