Preview: Nordea Scandinavian Masters
This week the Bro Hof Slott golf course hosts the Nordea Scandinavian Masters for the first time and from looking on the website, it looks absolutely stunning. It was in fact recently voted the ninth best course in Europe and is sure to provide some excellent viewing over the four days I believe.
Since it is the first time a European tour event has been played at the golf club, there are no past results for us to judge our potential winners on. However, we will persevere and see if we can unearth some gems for you this week. Last week’s tips unfortunately didn’t provide us with the desired result at the British Open, although my man McIlroy did earn himself a place so congrats to anyone who backed him each way. Although pleased with a top 5 finish I really though McIlroy could do the business last week, especially after that blistering opening 63.
Ian has been analyzing the field for this weeks Scandinavian Masters and hoping to put last week behind him, here is what he has to say:
“My first pick is Englishman Robert Rock. Although perhaps not a household name, he has been in terrific form this year and from what I’ve seen, it’s difficult to understand why he has yet to win on tour. It is surely a matter of “when” and not “if”. With five top top four finishes and a further two top tens, most notably finishing tied seventh at the Open Championship last week, perhaps that day of reckoning is upon us. His putting stroke is sublime and if the rest of the game can match it this week, I think he has a great each way chance. At 28/1, his odds aren’t bad either.
My second tip is the Swede Peter Hanson. He has already won on tour this year, and recent form could be pointing him towards yet another. Tied sixth in France three weeks ago and a strong showing in the Open Championship only for two poor closing rounds of 74, Hanson is not far off the top of his game. The big Swede has such a calm demeanor that if he gets into contention, he generally doesn’t let much phase him. His odds are relatively low at 16/1 but buoyed on by the local support, I think he has a big chance. Furthermore, he is also paired with Rock over the opening two days so I’m hoping that they can get off to good starts and ensure that they bring out the best in one another.
Lastly, after much head scratching and pencil gnawing, my final tip is Raphael Jacquelin. He, like the other two, is beginning to show some solid form. The last competition he played in was the Barclay’s Scottish Open where he finished tied 3rd but he also came runner up in the Saint-Omer Open. True he was poor at the beginning of the season but he has proven before he has the credentials to win, and when playing well, there are not too many more fluid and classic swings. I’m giving him the nod at 28/1
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