Scandinavian Masters by Carlsberg

[Chris 2005]

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European Tour Preview

Scandinavian Masters by Carlsberg

28th - 31st July 2005

The Tournament

The Scandinavian Masters is a regular fixture on the European Tour. Over recent years the tournament has been held at one of two courses, Barseback Golf Club near Malmo (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004) or Kungsangen Golf Club near Stockholm (1998, 2000, 2002).

The Scandinavian Masters usually attracts a good quality field, although the turnout in 2005 does not look to be so good. Many of the top European players have the US PGA Championship in their sights (8th August) and so are likely to be taking a break or heading across the Atlantic.

The Course

In 2005, the tournament returns to the Kungsangen Golf Club. Located 20 miles north west of Stockholm, the course is set among pine forests on undulating terrain. At 6,876 yards (par 71), the course is on the short side. With pine trees hugging the fairways and plenty of natural water features, there will be more of an emphasis on accuracy than on distance. Previous knowledge of the course will certainly be helpful.

It’s also worth noting that changes were made to the course in 1999, so course form prior to this date should be treated with a caution.

Players To Watch

Steve Webster (rating – 69.75)

Regular readers of Pro Golf Form’s previews will already know that we hold Steve in high regard. This year he has clocked up a string of performances rated below 70.00 and our ratings rank him comfortably inside the world’s top 50 at present. Although Steve missed the cut last week at Gut Kaden, don’t be too put off by this. The rain delays in Germany meant that the cut was reduced to the top 50 and in any normal week Steve would have been playing the last two rounds. A 17th place finish round the Kungsangen course in 2000, at a time when his all round game was not at it’s current level, gives us of confidence that he will handle the course.

Nick Dougherty (rating - 70.50)

There aren't too many European Tour players in better form than Nick at the moment, highlighted by his Pro Golf Form recent form average rating of 69.50. Nick shot to prominence by winning the Caltex Masters in Singapore back in January of this year. Although his form tailed off slightly in April, he has since settled into playing some consistent and high quality golf. He is definitely one of the European Tour's brightest prospects and a second victory this season is a distinct possibility. Do not be put off by the fact that Nick failed to make the cut in the Scandinavian Masters last year, as this was on a different course and Nick was not in the same sort of form that he is now. Expect another good showing from this promising young man.

Maarten Lafeber (rating - 70.75)

In good form of late, Maarten has already shown the sort of form required to win this year’s Scandinavian Masters. He has been performing well in the big tournaments, including the Open Championship, and the Scandinavian Masters will be a step down in class. The form he showed at the Scottish Open in the first week of July (rating of 67.00) should be good enough to take the spoils in Sweden. Maarten has also shown good form on the Kungsangen course, finishing 6th in 2000 and 30th in 2002.

Peter Hedblom (rating – 71.25)

After a surprise fifth place finish at the BMW International Championship in late May (rating of 68.00), Peter’s game has seemingly stabilised at a higher level. His 8th place at the Scottish Open (rating of 67.75) is arguably the pick of his most recent form, although his 11th place at the US Open (rating of 68.25) is not far behind. If he can reproduce this sort of form in his home country then he should have every chance. Peter knows the Kungsangen course well and finished 17th there in 2002.

David Lynn (rating – 71.50)

After a slow start to the 2005 season, David has begun to show some better form in the last couple of months. His 18th place finish in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond was probably the pick of his recent form (with a rating of 68.75) and he wouldn’t have to improve too much more on that to go close here. David also knows the Kungsangen course well having finished 34th in 1998 and 17th in 2002.