PREVIEW: 2024 DP World Tour – Omega European Masters

Another week, another first-time winner on the DP World Tour. Niklas Norgaard held his nerve last week, withstanding a late Thriston Lawrence charge to win the British Masters title.

The 32-year-old has enjoyed his most consistent season since graduating from the European Challenge Tour in 2022 and this was just the cherry on top.

Omega European Masters

This week, the tour moves swiftly onto the latest instalment of the Omega European Masters. Formerly known as the Swiss Open, the Omega European Masters has been a mainstay of the European schedule since its inception in 1972.

The old Swiss Open dates back all the way to 1923 and Crans-sure-Sierre has incredibly hosted every renewal since 1939! In 2009, this became the first event in Europe to be co-hosted by the Asian Tour.

It generated a bit of media hoopla back in 2006, with Michelle Wie accepting an invitation to participate. The American was determined to cut a new pathway for women’s golf and Crans seemed like a sensible venue for that experiment (more on that later).

It never worked out too well, with Wie ultimately propping the table at 15-over-par.

Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club

Set against the breathtaking vistas of the Swiss Alps, Crans-sur-Sierre is undoubtedly one of the most aesthetically pleasing venues in European golf.

The course dates all the way back to 1908 and the late-great Seve Ballesteros oversaw a comprehensive renovation of the course in 1999. It’s not too hard to understand Michelle Wie’s thinking when accepting that 2006 invitation.

Crans-sur-Sierre is a par 70 that measures around 6,800 yards (making it one of the shortest venues on the European calendar). Furthermore, the course is situated at around 4000 feet above sea level: this course is almost designed to mitigate the success of the bombers.

This course requires a solid approach game and skillful scrambling ability. The fairways feature stark undulations that will punish anything slightly askew.

The smaller-than-average greens demand surgical approach play. This is a democratic tournament that gives all the players a chance for glory.

The Contenders

I think it says a lot about the current state of European golf that Matt Fitzpatrick is trading at 9/1 to win this week. Sure, the metronomic Englishman is a two-time winner here. But he hardly had the most amazing year on the US PGA Tour, failing to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship.

Rasmus Hojgaard finally justified his weekly odds with a solo third at the Belfry. A former champion here, the Dane certainly has what it takes to prosper around Crans.

Speaking of former champions, Thriston Lawrence finished solo 2nd last week and he is really becoming something of a perennial contender on this tour (such as it is).

Reigning DP World Tour winner Nicolai Hojgaard has enjoyed a frustrating US campaign, and this event could offer him the chance for some much-needed confidence.

Elsewhere, the likes of Guido Migliozzi and Matt Wallace jump off the page in what is another underwhelming European lineup.

Past Winners

2023: Ludvig Aberg (-19)
2022: Thriston Lawrence (-18) *playoff
2021: Rasmus Hojgaard (-13)
2020: Event cancelled
2019: Sebastian Soderberg (-14) *playoff
2018: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17) *playoff

To Win Outright:

Matt Fitzpatrick 9/1 | Rasmus Hojgaard 18/1 | Thriston Lawrence 18/1 | Matt Wallace 18/1 | Nicolai Hojgaard 22/1

Value Bets

Jesper Svensson – To Win 35/1 | To Place 15/2

Swede Jesper Svensson will be making his debut appearance at Crans-sur-Sierre this week. But he arrives in excellent form, finishing runner-up at the Czech Masters before a solid solo 5th at the Belfry. His putting was impressive last week and he has the potential to surprise in this field.

Jorge Campillo – To Win 50/1 | To Place 11/1

Spaniard Jorge Campillo could be a nice dark horse option after picking up some form at the Belfry. Campillo has struggled since gaining one of last year’s ten PGA Tour cards (a 4th at the Myrtle Beach Classic being his best result).

Currently sitting 65th in the Race to Dubai standings, Campillo still has a solid shot at gaining entry into the season-ending DP World Tour events.

He finished 6th at last week’s British Masters (ranking 4th for SG: Off-off-the Tee and 11th for Scrambling). He was 4th here back in 2022 and should represent decent value this week.

The Man to Beat – Bernd Wiesberger – To Win 22/1 | To Place 48/10

I’m starting to sound like a bit of a broken record with Wiesberger. But let’s look at the facts. The Austrian – whose recent dalliance with LIV left him somewhat chastened – has finished inside the top 25 in 11 of his last 15 starts. That is elite form in a field such as this.

He ranks 4th on the DP World Tour for GIR and 7th in Stokes Gained: Approach (making him a perfect fit for this layout). Also, the former Ryder-Cupper also finished runner-up here back in 2021. This is just great value for someone who has won two Rolex Series titles.