Czech Masters Preview, Picks & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

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WITH the Ryder Cup just around the corner and the countdown for those final places well and truly on, there is a surprisingly strong field heading for the Czech Masters at the Albatross Golf Resort.

Two years ago, Jamie Donaldson arrived in Prague under pressure to perform in order to secure his place in Paul McGinley’s European team for the 2014 Ryder Cup. He duly went on to win his third European Tour title, going on to hit the winning shot as Europe thrashed the United States 16½-11½ at Gleneagles. Sadly for the Welshman, even a repeat victory is unlikely to be enough to see Donaldson make Darren Clarke's team. He has had a poor season, showing only flashes of the form of which he is capable.

Lee Westwood, who formed a formidable partnership with Donaldson at that Ryder Cup, makes his first appearance in the Czech Masters as he attempts to convince Clarke that he deserves a place in the team. With a number of rookies certain to be boarding the plane to Hazeltine in September, Westwood is a certainty for a captain's pick and has surely done enough to justify selection. The 43-year-old has played for Europe nine times and is a likely captain in 2018.

Westwood is joined by three-time European Tour winner Andy Sullivan and Matthew Fitzpatrick – who finished in third place at this event last year – with both players currently occupying the final two respective automatic qualification spots. Russell Knox, the Scot who plies his trade on the PGA Tour, is breathing down their necks.

One or other of these two is likely to slip out of the automatic places, but both have surely done enough to earn a wild card if that happens. Fitzpatrick is the best young golfer in Europe and Sullivan has enjoyed a rich vein of form this summer, doing everything apart from winning. They are both gutsy players who will be an asset to the European team.

Thomas Pieters won this tournament 12 months ago and was tipped by many to go on to greater things, especially when he won the KLM Open the following week and went on to finish 29th in the Race to Dubai. The 23-year-old has not kicked on. He is not the first to fail to live up to his potential, and he will not be the last.

As he returns to Prague, Pieters hopes to relive and be inspired by the memories of last year.

“Winning your first tournament is always special, so I’m excited about going back to defend my title at the Czech Masters,” said Pieters. “This is a great course, and it obviously holds some very special memories for me. It was just great to know I could do it – even if I never won another tournament for the rest of my career, I knew I would always be a European Tour champion.”

Frenchman Victor Dubuisson will also return to Albatross Golf Resort, having made his debut last year, as he attempts to rekindle the form which earned him a maiden appearance at the last Ryder Cup. Dubuisson's season has been little short of a disaster - he is an intense character who wears his heart on his sleeve and 2016 has not been the season he hoped it would be. One gets the sense with Dubuisson that unless all his well with the space between his ears then he is incapable of playing well, and clearly he is not in a good place right now.

If ever there was a golfer who needed to consult a psychologist, it is Dubuisson, and golf fans around the world would love to see him get back to his best as he is a thrilling player when he is at his best. Let's hope it happens for the Frenchman this week.

Czech Masters Picks & Tips

To Win: Matt Fitzpatrick. Determined not to lose his Ryder Cup spot

Each Way: Andy Sullivan. Another player who has been in good form

Czech Masters Fantasy picks

Matt Fitzpatrick. Ready for third Tour win

Andy Sullivan. Will smile his way through

Tyrrell Hatton. Playing brilliant golf

Thomas Pieters. Showing signs of last year's form

Lee Westwood. A nearly-season for the veteran

Marc Warren. Silky smooth swing

Brett Rumford. Back from injury

Bradley Dredge. Has had a terrific year

David Horsey. Another good week is overdue

Lee Slattery. Results don't reflect his talent

Haydn Porteous. Fantastic South African prospect