32Red’s Sponsorship manager Jack Milner delivers a weekly verdict on each tournament.
Valderrama normally means several things on The European Tour, most notably tight fairways and Sergio Garcia lifting the trophy. Garcia won a rain-affected tournament last season, when played in October, but was in much better form entering the tournament having been instrumental in Europe’s Ryder Cup defeat of USA in France.
He can be swerved at around the 6/1 mark, with compatriot John Rahm likewise opposed at the same price. After his agonising play-off defeat, I’m chancing Matthew Fitzpatrick to go one better at a course that should play to the Englishman’s strengths. The five-time tour winner made up for a slow start with three rounds in the 60’s before ultimately going down to Andrea Pavan at the second extra hole. Should he continue in a similar manner at The Andalucía Masters he will be very hard to beat.
At bigger prices, I could see Richie Ramsay playing well at around the 66/1 mark, whilst Spaniards Alvaro Quiros and Gonzalo Fdz-Castano are both too big around three figures to win on home soil.
The Rocket Mortgage Classic, formerly The Quicken Loans, sees Dustin Johnson enter as 11/2 favourite to come good in Detroit. DJ disappointed in the latter rounds of The US Open at Pebble Beach but is undoubtedly the most likely winner in a field that has Rickie Fowler, US Open Champion Gary Woodland and last week’s winner Chez Reavie.
Reavie looks a big price at 25/1 to follow-up due to being less sexy compared to the likes of DJ and Rickie but he was magnificent last week at The Travelers and warrants maximum respect. Kevin Kisner nudged and nurdled his way to yet another top twenty finish, and looks similarly over-priced at 40/1 to add further silverware to this season’s WGC Matchplay Crown.
Estrella Damm Andalucia Masters
Matthew Fitzpatrick at 10/1 with 32Red
Richie Ramsay at 66/1 with 32Red
Alvaro Quiros at 100/1 with 32Red
Gonzalo Fdez-Castano at 100/1 with 32Red
Rocket Mortgage Classic
Chez Reavie at 25/1 with 32Red
Kevin Kisner at 40/1 with 32Red
