BMW Masters preview, picks and analysis

Post by Sports Writer, Derek Clements

BACK pain is the bane of all professional golfers - just ask Tiger Woods. You may or may not know that Danny Willett suffers chronic back pain, has done for years. It is a measure of the determination of the man that he plays as well as he does, as consistently as he does.

Willett desperately wants to win the Race to Dubai, so much so that he is playing in all four Final Series events up to and including the Dubai World Championship. It is the first time for as long as the Yorkshireman can remember that he has played in four successive events. There will be some who are close to him who will fear for his physical well being, but Willett is as tough as teak. This week he plays in the BMW Masters in Shanghai, taking advantage of the fact that Rory McIlroy has decided to take the week off.

The 28-year-old has won twice this season. That is impressive enough, but he also has a further nine top 13 finishes to his credit. He has played on the European Tour since 2008 and has made progress every year. He may only have a total of three wins to his name, but he has become a fierce competitor. Earlier this year he finished sixth at The Open and had chances to win his first major. He also performed well enough at The Masters and US PGA Championship. Since winning the Nedbank Challenge his confidence has gone through the roof and, if he can remain fit, it will be fascinating to watch his progress in 2016.

Matt Fitzpatrick will be hoping for a continuation of hs brilliant recent form at the BMW Masters 

He took a considerable chunk out of McIlroy's lead in the Race to Dubai by closing with a 62 in the WGC HSBC Champions event, also played in Shanghai, to finish in a tie for third with Ross Fisher. It means he will be playing this week with his confidence sky high.

McIlroy performed heroically at the WGC event last week considering that he spent the eve of the tournament in bed with food poisoning and that his putting woes continue to dog him, but his decision not to play in the BMW could come back to bite him should the likes of Willett or Shane Lowry win.

Like Willett, Lowry has moved to a different class this season, capping it with a fabulous performance to win the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in August. Lowry served early notice of his prodigious talent when he won the Irish Open as an amateur. It took him a while to adjust to the paid ranks but, after serving his apprenticeship, he is now making his mark on the game. Lowry does things his own way - not for him endless hours in the gym, and he clearly enjoys his food. That is not to say that he doesn't work hard on his game - he spends hours on the range, and is certain to be rewarded by securing a place on Europe's Ryder Cup team next year. He is sure to be an asset to Darren Clarke.

Last week he struggled on the grainy greens and gave away his putter to a young fan. Lowry is one of the best in the business with the short stick and will have sorted things out this week.

Matthew Fitzpatrick also continues to impress all who have the good fortune to see him play. After winning the British Masters at Woburn, the 20-year-old now looks like a seasoned campaigner. That victory will surely open the floodgates for the Yorkshireman, and it would be no surprise to see him win again this week, or next time out in the season finale in Dubai.

He is another who will surely be representing Europe next autumn in what will be a new-look Ryder Cup team. Here is how I see that side shaping up: Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Bernd Weisberger, Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Russell Knox, Victor Dubuisson, Martin Kaymer, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia . That would mean no places for Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell, but it would be a formidable team none the less.

BMW Masters Betting Picks 

To win - Matthew Fitzpatrick. Brilliant attitude, great swing

Each way - Shane Lowry. Now one of the best

Each way - Bernd Weisberger. Consistently brilliant

BMW Masters Fantasy Picks

Matthew Fitzpatrick. The real deal

Shane Lowry. Watch the new putter go

Bern Weisberger. Only thing missing is a BIG win

Chris Wood. In great form

Tommy Fleetwood. Looking for a big finish

Anirban Lahiri. Poised for big things

Victor Dubuisson. Back with a bang

Louis Oosthuizen. Silky smooth

Kiradech Aphibarnrat. You have got to love this guy

Branden Grace. Only a matter of time before he wins a major

Image Credit - @SkySportsGolf