We take a look at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters set to take place at the Rael Club Valderrama in Spain between 18 October and 21 October.
Andalucia Valderrama Masters
Rael Club Valderrama, Sotogrande, Spain
18th-21st October 2018
This week marks the final week of the European Tour’s regular season, meaning that all players outside the top 110 will not be guaranteed their tour status next year. With a WGC event next week followed by the culminating events in the Race to Dubai, this event has been unable to attract a high calibre field this week.
More interest will lie in those players precariously placed in the bubble positions. The drama, of-course, will all take place on what is widely considered to be the spiritual home of European Tour golf: Valderrama. The 1997 Ryder Cup success- spearheaded by Seve Ballesteros- was a catalyst for European golf’s rise to dominance in the biennial event, which explains just why this venue has captured the hearts of ardent European Tour followers.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr and opened in 1985, Valderrama is a short, tree-lined course that has also played host to the Open de Espana as recently as 2016: Andrew Johnston went on to capture that title. Aside from hosting the 1997 Ryder Cup, Valderrama hosted the now defunct, season-ending Volvo Masters in the periods 88-96 and 02-08. This is not a course that bows down to brute power. Accuracy and the ability to hit greens far outweigh belligerence from the tee. The minuscule bent-grass greens often require a healthy dose of experience to truly master.
Sergio Garcia’s form at Valderrama is exceptional, with course figures of 7-5-7-7-2-2-2-34-4-10-1-3-1. That means that he only has one finish outside the top 10 in thirteen appearances. However- and despite his Ryder Cup heroics- I can’t get too excited by a price of 4/1. The truly decimated filed sees the likes of Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood play second fiddle to Spanish superstar Sergio Garcia. Interestingly, triumphant Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn will be teeing it up in the same field as prospective 2020 Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington.
Past Winners
- 2017: Sergio Garcia (12)
- 2012-2016: no event
- 2011: Sergio Garcia (-6)
- 2010: Graeme McDowell (-2)
To Win Outright
- Sergio Garcia (4/1)
- Shane Lowry (12/1)
- Lee Westwood (20/1)
- Soren Kjeldsen (20/1)
- Andrew Johnston (20/1)
Value Bets
Julien Guerrier- To Win (66/1), To Place (14/1)
The Frenchman is one of those players who has regularly threatened but seldom really delivered throughout the season. He has some strong juju in this country however, having finished 9th in the Open de Espana. He followed that up with some impressive top 10 finishes in both the Czech Masters and Sicilian Open. His recent form figures read 22-32-34-36-23, which would indicate a metronomic pro rather than a potential champion. However, those results have generally come in far more competitive fields, which should bode well for Guerrier this week.
Pablo Larrazabal- To Win (70/1), To Place (15/1)
I’m sure that Sergio Garcia could once again reign supreme around Valderrama, but not at 4/1. I’m sticking with hometown representation in opting with the rather mercurial talent that is Pablo Larrazabal. He has made five cuts in five appearances here, including a best ever 12th lasts season. His best results tend to come at shorter courses that reward a strategic approach. This is reflected in his performances at both the KLM Open and Omega European Masters this year. He also possesses a runner-up and 3rd place finish at the Open de Espana, highlighting his affinity for playing at home.
Matteo Mannasero- To Win (175/1), To Place (38/1)
I’m opting for Italian journeyman Matteo Mannasero in the more speculative end of the market. Currently sitting at 118th in the Race to Dubai standings, Mannasero will be highly motivated to produce his best golf this week. He finished 22nd last week and seems intent on going down swinging in his quest for securing his tour card. The Italian has a decent record in Spain having claimed the Castello Masters. He also has a second and a seventh in his 13 starts in the country. He was in 12th place last year going into the final round while he enjoyed a respectable 28th on debut. In three visits to Valderrama he has twice ranked inside the top five for fairways and greens combined. He could be a dark horse in the place markets.
The Man to Beat- Marcus Kinhult- To Win (33/1), To Place (7/1)
Marcus Kinhult is hugely talented and widely tipped as a future winner on tour. This week’s depleted field presents a perfect opportunity for the Swede. He has missed one cut in his last ten events. His best results seem to have come on tough, tight courses that tend to reward consistent golf. He finished in 12th at Wentworth and inside the top five at Le Golf National. He also possesses top 5 finishes in Portugal and Qatar. His driving accuracy improved drastically at the British Masters and don’t be surprised to see his name in contention come Sunday.
