Check out our preview for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters which takes place at the Doha Golf Club, between the 7th to the 10th of March.
The European Tour 2019
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar
7th-10th March
The 2nd leg of this mini Arabian swing sees the players make a 620 mile north-west move from Oman to Qatar. When founded in 1998, this event was one of only two events on the Arabian Peninsula. Now it is one of six. This will once again be a disappointing line-up, as the truncated PGA schedule continues to wreak havoc on the European Tour’s fields. The Players will be played next week while the Arnold Palmer dominates proceedings this week. This used to be an event that commanded exceptional fields. This event perhaps illustrates perfectly the extent to which the European Tour has been devalued in recent times.
This is a par 72 that usually favors heavy hitters. But perhaps the most telling barometer for possible success here is links form. This may not be a typically fast links layout, but the heavy winds that assault this course often leave the leaderboard with a Scottish feel. The Peter Harradine hasn’t got especially penal rough, meaning it really needs the wind to protect it. The par 3’s will likely proven the trickiest holes due to the wind. The eight strategically placed lakes could prove decisive, with six of them featured in the last six holes.
Perhaps somewhat disappointingly, Eddie Pepperell will not be back to defend the title he won so handsomely last season. Thomas Pieters once again leads the markets in what has become a trend for him. He seems happy to headline these heavily truncated events. Last week, American Kurt Kitayama picked up his 2nd title in just eleven starts on tour. Kitayama is once again in attendance, with 90% of the players who participated in Oman present here. The likes of Clement Sordet and Fabrizio Zanotti will be looking to replicate their form from last week. The likes of Tom Lewis and Alexander Bjork add some gloss to what is a fairly poor turnout this week.
Past Winners
2018: Eddie Pepperell (-18)
2017: Wang Jeung-hun (-16)*playoff
2016: Branden Grace (-14)
2015: Branden Grace (-19)
2014: Sergio Garcia (-16)*playoff
Betting Favorites (To Win):
Thomas Pieters (9/1)
Tom Lewis (20/1)
Alexander Bjork (22/1)
Jordan Smith (22/1)
Victor Dubuisson (25/1)
Value Bets
Kurt Kitayama
To Win (60/1)
To Place (13/1)
I’m really shocked that the young American is so long this week, especially when you take a look at the relative quality of the field. There is an argument that he may feel somewhat jaded following his exertions in Oman. But surely 60/1 is too generous to avoid. He has already shown himself to be something of a young master in the wind. His debut victory in Mauritius and last week’s victory in Oman came in extremely blustery conditions.
Erik Van Rooyen
To Win (80/1)
To Place (17/1)
This has been an event that has always been kinds to South Africans. The likes of George Coetzee and Branden Grace have flourished around Doha Golf Club. Erik Van Rooyen is a huge hitter who has proved slightly erratic on tour. But much of his best form was reserved for links events. He followed up a 4th at the Irish Open with a hugely creditable 17th at the Open Championship. He had many decent performances in windy conditions, including an 11th at the KLM Open and a 5th in Denmark. He finished inside the top 40 last time out in Mexico, in what was a massively superior field. This looks about the right caliber of field for him to potentially claim his maiden European Tour title.
The Man to Beat
Victor Dubuisson
To Win (25/1)
To Place (11/2)
Victor Dubuisson only returned in November from a fairly lengthy injury layoff. He has back-to-back top 15 finishes since his return. You have to go back some time since he played Doha Golf Club: he did manage a top 10 finish all the way back in 2013. But this is a much less competitive field than it would have been way back then. I also like the similarities between him and last year’s winner: Eddie Pepperell. Pepperell ranked 2nd for driving accuracy on his way to victory last year: Dubuisson currently ranks 19th for driving accuracy on tour. Dubuisson also ranks 22nd for shots gained from the tee. He looks a great bet at that price, especially giving the weakness of the field.
Written by Damien Kayat for Hollywoodbets
