Catalonia Ladies Masters

FINAL RESULT: 1-2; +0.94pts

Arricau 2nd
Belen Sanchez 29th
Alfredsson 8th

Small profit as Arricau finished strongly, but never had a chance of catching runaway winner, Icher. Had hoped for a nice profit on the Alfredsson play as she had been in the top-4 all week, but not when it mattered on the last day.

Outright plays (1.5pt):

Stephanie Arricau to win 25/1 e.w. @ SkyBet
The final event of the year, which is open to the top-25 on the Order of Merit, plus 8 invitees. Of course, many of the top-25 on the Money List have remained in the U.S. as they concentrate on the LPGA Tour and Laura Davies is the clear favourite, but with four places paid and only 33 players, there is better value to be had elsewhere. Arricau finished 5th on the Order of Merit, enough to be the 3rd-highest ranked player this week, courtesy of wins in France and Spain this year. On that basis, these odds look good as Arricau tries to make a successful return to Spain.

Ana Belen Sanchez to win 25/1 e.w. @ SkyBet
Belen Sanchez was also a winner this year - in the Italian Open - so can clearly compete with this field. But it is her record in Spain that stands out - top-5 finishes in each of her last three Ladies European Tour events. She clearly likes the Spanish courses and, like Arricau, will benefit from not having flown across the Atlantic to compete on the LPGA Tour in the past month.

Helen Alfredsson to win 33/1 e.w. @ SkyBet
That was the case with Alfredsson, but 33/1 is more than generous for a player who came so close to winning the last Ladies European Tour event as a selection. Some respectable form since, but this a play on a player who can still compete in Europe, at least.