Czech Masters - Winner

A handful of LIV golfers take their place in the field for the Czech Masters once again held at the Albatross course outside Prague. Poulter manages a spot in the top five of the betting but it is Thomas Pieters who is the overwhelming favourite. That is understandable given he has two wins a runner-up posted at this track and with a decent season of form under his belt must hold every chance. However, a month off somewhat cools enthusiasm for his chances and it'd be a brave man who gets involved around the 7/1 mark.

The course always favours the longer hitters and with plenty of room off the tee here, there is a wide margin for error. This is a course where you can absolutely rip it off the tee. Looking at the stats of previous winners and contenders, greens in regulation remains another department in which you must perform well in to get into contention over the weekend here.

Paul Waring at 30/1 (Eight Places)

Having backed Wilco Nienaber recently he was one who would have been high up my list this week but unfortunately, his price has shrunk a fair bit over the last 24hrs and now sits at an unbackable mark. Top billing here for me though was always going to go the way of Paul Waring. The Englishman has turned around a slump that had lasted a year with three recent top tens including a runner-up finish at the Cazoo Classic being narrowly beaten by Richie Ramsay. His game off the tee has been impressive all year but inconsistency has been apparent in all other departments. Recently he has turned this around.

A missed cut in Ireland was largely down to a poor putting performance, but his long game was in superb nick that week. It has been the same ever since most recently finishing 8th in Wales whilst ranking 7th on approach. The putter has warmed up in recent weeks also and he looks to be on a good trajectory heading into the final stages of the season. He hits a big enough ball to contend here also and the 33/1 looks a fair price.

1.5pts each-way P.Waring 30/1 (1/5 8)

Paul Waring - 1.5pts e/w @ 30/1

Antoine Rozner at 40/1 (Six Places)

Antoine Rozner is another who can't be ignored given the condition of his long game. The Frenchman looks ideal for a course like Albatross with his power off the tee. His approach play was under pressure earlier in the season but ever since heading to Germany in June it has turned around and he has produced a series of eye-catching displays with his long game.

Two missed cuts from the last 3 may look poor on paper but those have been down to woeful putting displays which as we know can turn around at any moment. He didn't putt overly well at the Cazoo Classic but still managed to post a top 40. His long game suggests there is a big effort around the corner and should his putting touch arrive this week in Prague then we could easily be looking at the winner.

1.5pts each-way A.Rozner 40/1 (1/5 6)

Antoine Rozner - 1.5pts e/w @ 40/1

Matthieu Pavon at 50/1 (Eight Places)

Like Pieters, Matthieu Pavon has had a month off but at 50/1 makes a lot more appeal than the Belgian to overcome that absence. The Frenchman has missed two cuts here in 2018 and 2019 but he wasn't in the same form that he is now. He arrives here off the back of two PGA Tour co-sanctioned events on both sides of the Atlantic where he posted two top 40 finishes. This event is a huge downgrade compared to those two events and should he manage to bring that form with him he could have a serious chance.

Usually, an above-average length off the tee, that diminished in 2021 before returning to the norm this year. He has managed three top seven finishes this term, one in the Ras Al Khaimah Championship which was dominated by the big hitters like Nicolai Hojgaard, Jordan Smith, Lukas Nemecz and Tapio Pulkkanen. That event could prove a decent guide for this and the Frenchman should strip all the fitter for his recent jaunt to the States.

1pt each-way M.Pavon 50/1 (1/5 8)

Matthieu Pavon - 1pt e/w @ 50/1

Ross Fisher at 50/1 (Eight Places)

Wil Besseling is another interesting runner who could compete here this week given his prowess off the tee. His approach game could do with improving a little though and for that reason, I'll steer clear. He is only two months out from finishing runner-up in the Porsche and 56th in the US Open and a repeat performance similar to those could certainly see him in the mix here. At slightly bigger odds I prefer Ross Fisher who could be suited perfectly by Albatross. The Englishman's best finish this year came in the Ras events back in February finishing runner up there on week two to Ryan Fox. Those two weeks were dominated by the bombers and with the history at this track Fisher should go well.

He ranks 21st in Driving Distance this season and consistently performs well off the tee. His approach game is a little inconsistent but the good weeks tend to be very good with the only problems arising closer to the green. That remains an issue but primarily this track is about your long game and Fisher ticks those boxes confidently. The one week recently where he putted well at the Hero Open he finished 22nd, but his long game deserted him somewhat and wasn't up to his usual standard. Things could easily come together for this veteran in Prague and 50/1 looks a fair enough price to get involved with.

1pt each-way R.Fisher 50/1 (1/5 8)

Ross Fisher - 1pt e/w @ 50/1