Linde German Masters attracts classy field
IN: News | European PGA | Linde German Masters (2005) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 08 Sep 2005
The Jack Nicklaus designed Gut Larchenhof layout in Cologne plays host to the Linde German Masters for the eighth consecutive year this week when Padraig Harrington defends the title he won by three over Australian Nick O'Hern in 2004.
Harrington appears to be getting back to the form he displayed earlier in the season, the illness and then passing of his father in recent times obviously having its impact but he seems in his last two starts, to be back on track.
Nick O'Hern took advantage of a Graeme McDowell stumble last year to move into second place late on Sunday but O'Hern is elsewhere this week playing at the lucrative Singapore Open.
Speaking of Asia, Retief Goosen as the leading world ranked player this week, comes off a win last week in China and was 16th in 2003 in his last appearance at this event. That is enough to consider him the favourite and in most betting agencies he is.
Angel Cabrera deserves consideration as one of the top three ranked players. He was runner up to at the recent Deustche Bank Championship and 11th at his last European event, which was also in Germany at the BMW.
David Howell is probably playing the best golf of his life right now and that suggests he should do well. He has to contend with trying to win two events in a row but there is a quality in his game right now that suggests he could well do that.
Michael Campbell as a previous winner of this event must be considered especially given that he is now a major winner and the US Open champion at that. He was runner up to Goosen last week in China and if he manages to turn the tables this week it would be no great shock. He has continued to play solidly since his Herculean effort at Pinehurst.
Mark Hensby won his one and only European Tour outing (The Open Championship aside) when beating Henrik Stenson in a playoff at the Scandinavian Masters and although he has played less than what he is capable of in his last two starts, he has shown already that debuts have been his strength in 2005. His only other visit to Germany was a spectator at the recent German Grand Prix. 5th at Augusta, 3rd at Pinehurst and 15th at the Open indicate his status in the game and a win here would not unexpected. Hensby will be keen to play well here before heading to the World Match Play next week.
Others who could be considered good chances are Paul Casey, who seems to be on the road to form recovery, Colin Montgomerie, Henrik Stenson, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jose Maria Olazabal.
The Australasians are Richard Green, Peter O'Malley, Brett Rumford, Wade Ormsby, Peter Senior, Marcus Fraser, Peter Fowler Stephen Scahill and Brad Kennedy.
Photo - Anthony Powter
