What's on Tap: The Omega European Masters

By Alex Lauzon from the “Course of Life” podcast

Hopping the Pond

The PGA Tour takes its oh-so-brief exhale for their two-week offseason before returning to action in Napa, but that doesn't mean that golf fans are shut out of action. One of my favorite pastimes is consuming the DP World Tour to start my day as it’s like a travel channel program every week. The tour hits dozens of countries across SIX different continents, and a lot of familiar faces are playing this week’s event in lieu of the brief break on the PGA Tour calendar. Let’s find ourselves some overseas winners before the reboot to the new PGA Tour calendar.

Reflecting on the 2022-2023 conclusion last week in Atlanta, I’m glad we ended on a winning note which makes even TEN outright winners picked in the 2023 calendar year alone. Off of that positive vibe check to wrap the playoffs, let’s mentally board a plane overseas and put our vacation outfits on. It's the world traveling season for pro golfers and golf fans.

Mountainside Majesty

This week’s setting on the DP World Tour is nothing short of magical. Crans-Sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland is perched amidst The Alps and has jaw-dropping views around every corner. The course is built alongside a mountain range that makes for lots of twists, turns, and uneven lies. It’s a shorter 6800+ yard track, but with mountain pine slinging the fairways and precarious landing areas, it’s a thinking man’s course to get around successfully.  

The field is led by 2022 US Open Champion and past champion here is Matt Fitzpatrick, alongside his brother Alex who’s now a mainstay on the DP world tour. Matt is the commanding +850 betting favorite to win, and he’s followed on board by Adrian Meronk and Ludvig Aberg at +1600 odds. The Hojgaard Twins (Rasmus and Nicolai), Irish vet Padraig Harrington, and Scottish sensation Robert MacIntyre are also ready to tee it up in the mountains alongside the rest of the DP World Tour.

Forecasting The Omega European Masters

This tournament has a jam-packed leaderboard every year and is often settled with sudden death, so expect drama. As for who emerges, the elephant in the room is ironically the diminutive Matt Fitzpatrick. You’re either betting on Fitz to take it down or taking “the rest of the field” at much lower prices.

1. Who’s hot and trending – Recent high finishes, top-10 streaks, and consistent play are never a bad thing.

2. Horses for courses – Players love certain courses and course familiarity and experience are invaluable in a field of the world’s best.

3. What the numbers tell you this week – While I’m far from analytical, there’s always a tournament darling or two scattered across the golf talk stratosphere that stuns on paper.

4. Intangibles – While this allows for theater of the mind, there’s a mysterious optimism surrounding a player that feels “due”  or if the price looks just right for buying.

The PGA Tour finale was a fitting end to the season, as I hit my card correctly in every which way. We had Hovland as the outright winner and four of the top five names on the leaderboard were part of the picks. An A+ week if there ever was one and a great way to reset before the dawn of a new season

The Plays

1: Ludvig Aberg - He might be quietly one of the better ball strikers in the world right now, and he’s coming from a  top 5 last week on the DP World Tour.

2: Matt Wallace - Almost a necessity to look at this week, he finished second last week and second last year at this event, losing in a playoff. Lots of vengeance vibes for Wallace this week.

3: Robert MacIntyre - Love getting Lefty Bob at a nice rate, and his game should fit this course nicely not needing to overpower anything.

4: Alex Fitzpatrick - I’ll take my chances on the other Fitz brother, who just notched his best DP World Tour finish a couple of weeks back and is on a good path this summer.

5: Tom McKibbin - The youngster burst on the scene with a win earlier this season, and Rory 2.0 should be primed for next week’s Irish Open as well.

6: Wilco Nienaber - His absurd power is relegated a bit here, but he’s good enough form and a bit overlooked this week.

The Deets

Where to watch: The Golf Channel has you covered every morning, and if you haven’t treated yourself to a DP World Tour broadcast you’re missing out.

Why to watch: While the PGA Tour is on vacay, the DP World Tour hosts a national masters event at a stunning venue. A great way for US golf fans to start their day.

What to eat: Grab your tallest coffee, your favorite breakfast sandwich, and cheers to morning golf on the other side of the globe.

Purse: $2.5 million

Winner's Share: $400k