Norman returns at European Masters
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2010 Omega European Masters | Preview | 01 Sep 2010
With the hype and drama of Ryder Cup selection now well and truly behind it, the European Tour heads to the beauty and tranquillity of Crans Sur Sierre in Switzerland for this week’s Omega European Masters at the Seve Ballesteros designed Crans sur Sierre Golf Club.
Originally opened in 1908 but substantially rebuilt in 1929, Seve Ballesteros set about redesigning the golf course in 1999 and left a controversial layout in his wake. Situated some 1500 metres above sea level one of the main issues golfers playing this event or golf course for the first time must adjust to, is the additional distances golf balls travel in the thin mountain air.
The tournament or its equivalent has been played at this venue since 1939, only stopping during the wars years.
The defending champion in 2010 is Sweden’s Alexander Noren who broke through for his maiden European Tour victory when he held off a strong challenge from 2006 champion Bradley Dredge to win by two.
Given the drama involved in the final race for Ryder Cup places last week at Gleneagles, it is a pleasant surprise that the tournament enjoys the support of two of those who will line-up at Celtic Manor in a month’s time. Last week’s winner, Edoardo Molinari and Miguel Angel Jimenez grace the event with their presence.
Molinari finished 14th in this event two years ago long before he was the player he has become in the past twelve months and should again give a good account of himself. With nothing to lose he can freewheel this week confident in the knowledge that he is now considered amongst the elite of the game in Europe and as the leading world ranked player in the field will start the favourite.
Jimenez however has an outstanding record over this layout. He has not won but has regularly finished inside the top five and coming off a third place finish last week in Scotland he is a great chance to be rewarded for his consistency in the event.
Louis Oosthuizen followed up his win at the Open with two top ten finishes before missing the cut at the PGA Championship. Now with his feet back firmly on the ground (if you can be at 1500 metres) then he stands a very good chance of bouncing back.
Charl Shwartzel has played solidly in much stronger events in the US in recent weeks and has played this tournament well on occasions. Back in Europe he could do well.
Bradley Dredge served notice last week that he is in the right sort of form to continue his great association with this tournament. He won in 2006 and a year later he finished runner up to Brett Rumford and following his top ten last week in Scotland he is well placed to follow that up with another good week in the mountains.
Brett Rumford has been approaching his best form in recent weeks culminating in a near miss last week at Gleneagles. He won in Crans sur Sierre in 2007 before heading for an unsuccessful campaign in the US. He is having a very good season in Europe and with three top tens in his last four starts he is primed for a big week on a golf course and in surrounds he clearly enjoys.
Of the other Australasians a noticeable inclusion in the field is Greg Norman. Norman has not played a regular tour event anywhere for over fourteen months so this will be an interesting test.
Given that this event is co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour however there is a greater number than is normally the case playing a stand-alone European Tour event.
Michael Campbell, Peter o’Malley, Marcus Fraser, Andrew Dodt, Scott Strange, Danny Lee, Marcus Both, Rick Kulacz, Darren Beck, David Gleeson, Scott Hend and Adam Blyth all get their chance to improve their standing in season 2010 on their respective tours.
