Top Betting Picks for Omega European Masters in 2021

After a one-year hiatus, the European Tour returns to the Swiss Alps for another edition of the European Masters. Founded 98 years ago as the Swiss Open, Crans-sur-Sierre has been the permanent home of this event since 1939.

Cemented as one of the most picturesque settings in all of golf, this week’s venue has yielded low winning scores in the past – at least 14-under has won every iteration since 2009.

Led by a handful of Ryder Cup hopefuls, the field is about as strong as it can be, considering we’re in the midst of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. After dissecting the player pool and studying the odds, here are my top Omega European Masters betting picks.

I’ll kick off my Omega European Masters picks with a nod to a couple of guys lingering pretty far down on the betting sheet.

Priced at +5000 to win at most of the best golf betting sites, Jamie’s +6000 number at BetUS might just be worth a look. Donaldson’s lack of distance won’t hinder him as much on at layout measuring under 6,900 yards. Case in point, the Welshman finished 7^th here in 2014 and closed with 66 in 2019 (T35).

Perhaps most significant, Jamie’s game has been trending in a positive direction.

46-year-old guys who don’t hit it very far typically aren’t on my radar when I’m making European Tour predictions. Having said that, Crans-sur-Sierre GC is a unique golf course with many holes that takes “bombing it” out of the equation. Instead, the premium is placed on accuracy and precision into the greens.

Enter Fichardt.

One of two men currently gaining at least one stroke per round on his approach shots in 2021 (Sam Horsfield is the other), Darren quietly ranks 6^th in season scoring average. He finished T5 at the 2021 BMW International Open and has registered top-10s in two of his last three trips to the scenic track in Switzerland.

In other words, his +8000 price tag at SportsBetting.ag has tempted me into taking a small bite.

Shifting my attention to the names expected to contend, two golfers lurking near the top of the price sheet have piqued my interest.

23^rd or better in five of his last six starts, Justin Harding arrives in Crans rested since his T7 at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational. Before that, the gritty South African lost in a playoff at the Cazoo Open.

Add it up, and here’s a snapshot at Harding’s eight most recent rounds on the European Tour.

68-69-66-65-70-64-67-69

Worth noting, Harding won the 2021 Magical Kenya Open at a golf course that, like Crans-sur-Sierre, is situated at extreme altitude.

Thomas Pieters hasn’t had a particularly noteworthy season, although the 29-year-old Belgian golfer has probably been a lot more dependable than you think. In 13 starts across the globe since the calendar turned to 2021, Pieters has compiled six top-16 finishes and has missed just two cuts.

In terms of having fond memories from the last time he was here, know that Thomas finished 12^th at the 2019 Omega European Masters. That includes firing a blemish-free 65 in the final round to climb 15 spots on the leaderboard.

Feeling the heat of trying to make the European Ryder Cup team, Victor Perez’s struggles this summer have been sincere. However, Victor appeared much more relaxed last time out now that he’s slipped off of Padraig Harrington’s radar.

On the flip side, Martin Kaymer strolls into Crans, having missed five of his last eight cuts, including whiffing on two in a row. His driving abilities have waned, and his putting has been abysmal – even a victory wouldn’t be enough to capture Captain Harrington’s attention.

For those in search of more golf picks this week, this section is filled with posts that’ll be right up your alley.