Portugal Masters Preview, Picks & Analysis

The Portugal Masters at Vilamoura is a huge event for a lot of players - it is the penultimate event of the regular European Tour season, meaning that chances are running out fast for those trying to play their way into the top 60 who make it to the Final Series in the Race to Dubai and for those who have yet to win enough money to secure their playing privileges for next season.

One of those firmly in the latter category is Oliver Farr, the young Welsh golfer whose progress we have been following this season. Farr is a gifted player but he will be the first to admit that he has failed to fulfill his promise after making it to the European Tour this season. He played well at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and has shown flashes of his very best form but he has been unable to put four good rounds together.

He told Golfshake at the start of the year that he was looking forward to the Portugal Masters and although the pressure will be on when he tees off on Thursday, it may be just what Farr needs. It is not so long ago that Tommy Fleetwood was struggling to keep his card and then found a performance from nowhere that not only secured his playing rights but gave him a sense of self-belief that has seen him kick on.

Fleetwood is one of the favourites this week after a decent performance at the British Masters. He is a perfectionist, who is very hard on himself and when he sits down after the Dubai World Championship he will look back on his season and mark it thus: 'Could do better.' Unless, of course, he can find a win between now and then.

Chris Wood is another who is great form right now, with terrific finishes at the Dunhill Links Championship and the British Masters. Wood is a streaky player - and he is on a very, very hot streak right now. He will be bitterly disappointed if he doesn't finish it off with a victory, and this course should suit him right down to the ground. If he is still putting well, he will contend.

A strong field is heading for Vilamoura. Double major champion Martin Kaymer enjoys this part of the world and the German has played some very good golf recently. The problem is that he has also played some dreadful golf. Which Kaymer will turn up in Portugal? If it's the in-form one, the rest could be playing for second place.

One player who has had few consistency concerns in 2015 is Bernd Weisberger. The Austrian has had a series of top-10 finishes and is a proven winner, but, like Fleetwood, he will not be happy with his year until or unless he adds another victory to his CV. This would be a good time to do so.

Eddie Pepperell and Tyrrell Hatton are also still waiting for what they might regard as graduation day. I had a wager with a friend back in January that both of these young English golfers would win tournaments before the end of 2015. They have both given me a great run for my money, with each one contending several times. Pepperell was superb during The Open at St Andrews and I though Hatton was a good bet for the Irish Open. I still can't quite believe that neither man has made the breakthrough yet, but I believe Pepperell may just do so this week.

Portugal Masters Betting Tips

To Win: Eddie Pepperell. Too good not to win soon

Each way: Bernd Weisberger. Terrific player

Each way: Romain Wattel. Coming back to his best

Portugal Masters Fantasy picks

Eddie Pepperell. Great temperament

Bernd Weisberger. Excellent season

Romain Wattel. Fabulous young Frenchman

Tyrrell Hatton. Needs a win for his self-confidence

Martin Kaymer. Can win anywhere, anytime

Chris Wood. Sure of another good week

Tommy Fleetwood. Growing increasingly frustrated

Lee Slattery. Walking on air right now

Alejandro Canizares. Ferocious competitor

Oliver Farr. Come on Ollie, this is the week to get it done!!!

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