The picturesque Swiss Alps provide a stunning backdrop at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club as the European Tour heads to Crans Montana this week for the Omega European Masters.
A clash with the closing stages of the FedEx Cup playoffs in America means the field in this mainstay of the tour is not as star-studded as in previous years, but that should ensure another tightly contested tournament at a venue where six of the last seven renewals have needed a playoff.
Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger is the 22/1 favourite, which shows just how competitive the action is expected to be, while American Johannes Veerman is rated a 33/1 chance after he captured the Czech Masters last week.
Sweden’s Sebastian Soderberg, who won the tournament the last time it was played two years ago, is 125/1 for a repeat success.
Ramsay Geared for a Strong Challenge
It is nine years since Richie Ramsay tasted success at the European Masters and his recent form suggests he can make a bold bid for more glory this week at 40/1.
The Scot has posted two other top-10 finishes at this week’s venue and it is worth recalling that this year’s field will not be as strong as the ones in which he competed on those occasions.
With the altitude negating the advantage big-hitters may ordinarily enjoy, accuracy should be key in Switzerland and Ramsay is the eighth straightest driver on the European Tour.
He has missed one cut in his last 15 outings and posted some good results in that period.
Ramsay was fourth at the Irish Open, placed 15th at the Scottish Open when he carded a third-round 65, and he was five shots off the pace when ninth at the Cazoo Classic on his last outing a fortnight ago.
This looks a good opportunity for him to claim his first European Tour title since the Trophee Hassan he won in 2015.
Wiesberger Can Justify Favouritism
Bernd Wiesberger is 22/1 to win this week and as he has already won the Made in Himmerland in Denmark this year and finished fifth at the BMW International, he should make a strong challenge in this field.
He was 21st at the Cazoo Classic last time and has been playing consistently well. The only two cuts he has missed in his last 10 events came at the US PGA Championship and the US Open.
He is ranked second in strokes gained: tee-to-green on the European Tour and third in greens in regulation, so the Austrian possesses the necessary tools in the box to punch his weight in this sort of company.
Bjerregaard Can Defy a Big Price
Those looking for an interest at a three-figure price should not ignore Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard at 100/1.
He has had his spell in the doldrums but there have been signs of life lately and this is a course where he finished second in 2018 and was ninth the previous year.
Bjerregaard was 10th at the Hero Open three weeks ago when he shot a second-round 62 and while he faded with a closing 73 in that tournament, it was definitely a step in the right direction.
He was one shot off the lead in the opening round of the Cazoo Classic in his last effort and he can give punters a good run for their money if he can knit it all together over four rounds.
*All odds correct at time of writing.