Czech Masters

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Danny Willett to beat Bernd Wiesberger – 4 points @ Evens (2.0) Ladbrokes

A first look at the Prague track and at face value it is one that will reward length and accuracy, being 7400-yards with two par-5s over 600-yards and three par-3s over 210. Fairways seem quite narrow in parts and whilst it probably won’t be as interesting as last week’s debut at Himmerland, there is every chance that this far more open than the 12-1 the field.

As far as the match-bets are concerned, only one really stands out. I’m at a loss as to why the ever consistent Danny Willett is the outsider to beat the Austrian flatterer and he is confidently expected to finish in front of his market rival.

Wiesberger is a multiple winner on Tour but hasn’t really shown much this year apart from a couple of runner-up finishes, one of those in his home event. I can only assume that his position as favourite in this 72-holer is down to that 15^th at Valhalla, an impressive debut at the USPGA, but ultimately one that proved too much to handle sliding from the leading group to 15^th on payday. Of course, playing alongside Rory on a Major Sunday has its considerable pressures and it was a great effort, but he has shown similar traits in previous lesser events and always seems best when coming late and fast.  The Austrian’s lack accuracy off the tee is putting pressure on an average short game, whilst he ranks well outside the top-100 for putting. All that could come under similar scrutiny this week.

Despite occasionally being hindered by a back or neck injury, Willett has proved a top European player throughout this season with four top-10s and a further five top-20s on his card. Highlights are clearly the 3^rd in the Irish Open, 8^th at the BMW International and 11^th at the Scottish Open but it is his efforts in the US Majors that catch the eye. His game was far better than the eventual 45^th at Pinehurst whilst the top-30 finish at Valhalla should also have been far higher but for a poor Sunday negating that 6-under through 13 holes of the previous day.

Long and accurate off the tee, he is ranking highly in driving and approaches and this course should suit, perhaps providing that illusive first win of 2014. Whilst course form would obviously help he leads 6-5 in head-to-heads since the turn of the year and 5-2 on recent outings.