British Masters Golf Preview – October 11th, 2018
Some of Europe’s Ryder Cup stars will in action at Walton Heath this week in the British Masters, notably Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood. Although Rose is the 7/1 odds favourite* (betting odds taken on October 9th, 2018 at 5:37 pm) it is Italian star Molinari who takes top billing.
After his stunning form at Le Golf National in the Ryder Cup, Molinari goes in search of a piece of history this week.
Table of Contents
British Masters Golf Odds 2018*
Justin Rose 7/1
Francesco Molinari 9/1
Tommy Fleetwood 10/1
Thorbjorn Olesen 25/1
Matthew Fitzpatrick 25/1
Lucas Bjerregaard 28/1
Eddie Pepperell 28/1
Haotong Li 30/1
Shane Lowry 30/1
Chris Wood 33/1
Charl Schwartzel 33/1
Matt Wallace 35/1
Andy Sullivan 35/1
Bar 45/1
* (betting odds taken on October 9th, 2018 at 5:37 pm)
Justin Rose
It has been a tremendous season for Rose. With the FedExCup title in the bag and the massive purse attached to it, that would have been hard to top. But he went straight out into Ryder Cup action for Europe and enjoyed that thumping success over the USA. The course looks a perfect fit for his game. It’s not all been plain sailing lately though for Rose as he has had a bit of a roller coaster with his number one spot, missed chances and wins. Still, he is a former winner of the Masters having taken the title in 2002 as well. He gets back to number one in the world with a win.
Francesco Molinaro
He is going to be the favourite for many in British Masters 2018 betting. Not only has he produced a stunning individual season, his recent efforts in the Ryder Cup means that he is running in such confidence at the moment that he has to be in contention. That Ryder Cup form was a boost for him as he just looked to be running out of steam after his top success of winning The Open. It is basically going to be whether or not he can keep his hot hand going and not run out of steam. Having won The Open Championship and BMW Championship this year, if he wins this, he will be the first man ever to win all three in the same year.
Tommy Fleetwood
Another of the European crew who enjoyed success at the Ryder Cup and his presence was big for the team. He returned quickly with a defeat by just a stroke at the Dunhill Links Championship last week. That was the closest that he’s come to a win really though since his second place at the US Open. He is probably not quite sharp enough to go out and produce the victory but still he will be heavily supported.
Other Contenders
Lucas Bjerregaard looks good at the moment after his win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. That was not a result out of the blue though as the Dane had three top ten finishes in four starts prior to that, so he was certainly trending. The course should be a decent fit for him being links-like and he is a great 28/1 each way option* (betting odds taken on October 9th, 2018 at 5:37 pm).
Andrew Johnson has a pretty good record at Walton Health. He has a fantastic average of under 68 per round from his previous appearances here and this clearly is a course that he likes. You are looking at big chunky 70/1 each way price on him, which looks a stretch but he is at 6/1 for a top ten finish* (betting odds taken on October 9th, 2018 at 5:37 pm).
Tom Lewis has been going very well lately and is an interesting option to contend for a top ten. He has six top ten finishes in his last eight with a win on both the European and Challenge tours. Matt Wallace and Brandon Stone have trends to suggest that they can make runs and Andrea Pavan got a got fifth place alongside Hao Tong Li at the Alfred Dunhill last weekend.
English Winner?
There has been an English winner in five of the last ten editions of the British Masters. But it has been just two in the last seven editions. There are two ways to read that, either they are now due another strike or it’s time to stick with a non-English player. Given a good bulk of English contenders, we feel it is time to stick with the home guard, let by Rose and Fleetwood.
Prediction
Of the front-runners who do we side with? Rose has been up and down and Francesco Molinari looks a stronger contender than him really for this one. We don’t see Fleetwood having enough at the moment to contend.
As for the outsiders, the course man is Andrew Johnson who we will have a look at to get a top ten finish. The hot hand of the outsiders is Lucas Bjerregaard who just looks a tremendous fit all around.
