This will be the first edition of this event under the guise of the Scandinavian Invitation. Up until last year, it was known as the Nordea Masters and before that the Scandinavian Masters.
Its actual genesis dates back to the 60’s, when the former Scandinavian Enterprise Open merged with the PLM Open. It has actually switched places in the calendar this season with the Czech Masters. This has probably led to the more decorated looking field. For the 2nd year in succession, it will be hosted at the Hills Golf and Sports Club in Gothenburg.
European Tour 2019 | Scandinavian Invitation
Hills Golf and Sports Club, Hills vag, Gothenburg, Sweden
Thursday 22 August – Sunday 25 August 2019
Designed by Steve Forest and Arthur Hills, this course was actually only opened as recently as 2005. It is a tree-lined parkland affair that is bentgrass head-to-toe. Johan Edfors- a former force on the European Tour and co-owner of the club- actually helped reshape six of the holes in 2014. This is one of the shortest courses on the European circuit, though the smaller than average greens are protected by a fair amount of water. Many have compared it to last week’s venue: the Albatross in the Czech Republic. There is little statistical evidence to go crazy on, though I should expect this to be a second shot course which rewards fine iron play. Having said that, the huge hitters could reap the benefits if they are able to avoid the penalty areas.
The final week of FedEx Cup action this week should precipitate an enrichment of quality in the upcoming European Tour fields, especially as the Race to Dubai heats up. This week already sees a marked improvement in the field, with players probably sensing the need to make that Race to Dubai push early. Henrik Stenson will clearly enjoy massive support from the home crowd, while Matthew Fitzpatrick’s recent exertions in the WGC make him an extremely strong candidate to contend this week. Alex Noren will also enjoy fanatical home support while the likes of Erik Van Rooyen and Haydn Porteous will look to bludgeon this fairly small layout. Paul Waring is back to defend his title in what is lining up to be a fiery battle in the ordinarily icy Swedish countryside.
Past Winners
2018: Paul Waring (-14)
2017: Renato Paratore (-11)
2016: Matthew Fitzpatrick (-16)
2015: Alex Noren (-12)
2014: Thongchai Jaidee (-16)
Outright Betting (To Win)
Henrik Stenson (15/2)
Matthew Fitzpatrick (9/1)
Alex Noren (11/1)
Erik Van Rooyen (12/1)
Andrea Pavan (18/1)
Value Bets
Haydn Porteous
To Win (50/1), To Place (11/1)
At 25 years of age, South African Haydn Porteous is already a two-time winner on the European Tour. But it’s been two years since his last victory and his form has been indifferent this year. While he has made quite a few cuts, he has been unable to really consolidate his challenges heading into Sunday. A tie for 34th at the Scottish Open underlined that nagging sense of underutilized potential. But the big-hitting South African used the European Tur hiatus as an opportunity to fine-tune his game, picking up a top 10 back home on the Sunshine Tour. He followed that up with a tie for 11th last week at the Albatross. Porteous was 6th here last season and won the Czech Masters back in 2017. Course form and pedigree at the corollary Albatross event make him an attractive option at 50/1.
Andrew Johnston
To Win (90/1), To Place (19/1)
Currently sitting 85th in the Race to Dubai rankings, ‘Beef’ is going to need a few performances in the upcoming weeks to ensure participation at the DP World Tour Championship. Johnston has had to battle mental health issues as well as fluctuations with form and fitness. He is also dealing with the added pressure of awaiting the birth of his first child! But things took a turn for the good with an excellent 4th place finish at the Scottish Open. That was followed by an agonizingly close missed cut at the Open Championship. Johnston finished 10th here last season, and his excellent bogey avoidance stats should stand him in good stead this week.
The Man to Beat
Andrea Pavan
To Win (18/1), To Place (39/10)
Andrea Pavan is probably one of the clearest no-brainers in recent months. Looking very appealing at 18/1, especially compared to Stenson’s rather short 15/2, Pavan is one of the hottest players on the European Tour at present. He won the BMW International Open and picked up a top 5 at the Scottish Open. Then there is his brilliant course form at Albatross- believed by many to be a potential indicator to success around here. He finished in a tie for 3rd at the Albatross last week where he was defending his Czech Masters title. Pavan also shared 6th place at this course last year, making him one of the better 18/1 shots I have seen in some time.
