Steve Palmer's Czech Masters predictions & free golf betting tips

Golf tips, best bets and player analysis for the Czech Masters at the Albatross Resort on the European Tour.

Where to watch

Live on Sky Sports Golf red button and Sky Sports Mix,
from midday Thursday

Best bets

Sam Horsfield
5pts 10-1 general
Callum Shinkwin
2pts each-way 22-1 Betfred
Dean Burmester
2pts each-way 20-1 Betfred, Hills
Nicolai Hojgaard
1pt each-way 55-1 Betfred

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Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Francesco Molinari, Bernd Wiesberger and Thomas Pieters are in the field for next week's European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre - all hoping to catch the eye of European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington - but this week's Czech Masters in Prague is lacking the same strength in depth. Rory Sabbatini, who became a Slovakian at the end of 2018, is making a rare European Tour start.

Steve Palmer's top tip

Sam Horsfield 10-1

The Albatross Course seems the perfect stage for Sam Horsfield to banish his Friday demons and surge to a European Tour hat-trick. The Manchester-born, Florida-based 24-year-old has made some incredible starts to tournaments this year, before treading water on Fridays, but a strong 72-hole performance can be expected in the Czech Masters.

Horsfield has had five top-eight finishes in his last ten regulation European Tour events and he was sixth in the Cazoo Open on his last outing. A refreshing break since then, ridding himself of any lingering back issues, has set him up well for a Prague title tilt.

Horsfield arrived for his only previous Czech Masters appearance (2019) in terrible form - he had just missed his last two cuts and looked like he was about to slip outside of the world's top 300 - but he fell in love with the Albatross Course and finished third.

The favourite can be trusted at double-figure odds and there is plenty of options for multiple bets with the two other tournaments taking place this week.

Next best bet

Callum Shinkwin 22-1

A closing pair of birdies gave Callum Shinkwin a share of third place in the Cazoo Classic on Sunday, following fourth spot in the Cazoo Open and 16th in the Hero Open, so the Hertfordshire man is suddenly targeting the DP World Tour Championship.

The Albatross - long and open and forecast for calm weather this week - sets up wonderfully for this powerhouse. He was ninth in 2017 and can go even better this time given how well he has been swinging lately.

Other selections

Dean Burmester 20-1

Nicolai Hojgaard 55-1

Dean Burmester is one of the most powerful drivers in the world so he is extremely well suited to the Albatross, and he has really sharpened up his short-game over the last year or so.

The South African has become a great putter and he has improved his temperament with the fruits of his labour being a victory in the Tenerife Open at the start of May.

Burmester followed up his second European Tour title with fourth spot in the Canary Islands Championship and sixth in the British Masters. He has rested since 40th place in the Open and could return to action with a bang in Prague. He has never teed up in this tournament with a better world ranking than his current standing of 103rd.

Complete a four-pronged attack with Nicolai Hojgaard, another immense driver in good nick. The Dane was 14th in the Cazoo Open and 21st in the Cazoo Classic. Between the Cazoos he missed the second cut (Saturday night) in the World Invitational, then missed the cut by a shot in the Hero Open. The cut-line should not be an issue at the Albatross - a dreamy set-up for him - and he could be inspired by the form twin brother Rasmus showed when almost winning at the London Club on Sunday.

Players to note

Vincent Norrman
The Swedish youngster has made a strong start to life in the pro ranks and he should take a shine to the Albatross, unless last week's surprise missed cut at the London Club has dented his confidence.

Johannes Veerman
The American big-hitter, third in the Irish Open last month and eighth in the Scottish Open, may get his name on the leaderboard again.

Albatross Resort course guide

Course Albatross Golf Resort, Prague, Czech Republic
Prize money €1m (€166,660 to the winner)
Length 7,467 yards
Par 72
Field 126
Course records- 72 holes 266 Andrea Pavan (2018) 18 holes 64 Scott Jamieson (2014), Mikael Lundberg (2015), Paul Peterson (2016), Thomas Pieters (2018), John Daly (2018), Callum Tarren (2018), Gavin Green (2018 and 2019)

Course winners taking part Paul Peterson, Haydn Porteous, Andrea Pavan

When to bet By 6am Thursday

When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf red button and Sky Sports Mix, from midday Thursday

Time difference Czech Republic is one hour ahead of the UK and Ireland

Last week - Cazoo Classic 1 C Hill (28-1), 2 A Levy (100-1), T3 R Bland (28-1), J Donaldson (66-1), R Hojgaard (40-1), C Shinkwin (55-1)

Course type Parkland

Course overview The Czech Masters was created in 2014, with the Albatross Resort hosting a European Tour event annually until the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 edition. The course was opened in 2009, billed as the best layout in the country. A reported €16m was ploughed into the project by entrepreneur Jari Simane, with Keith Preston given the job of designing this immaculately manicured track. It is a long, fairly exposed beast, with lots of water hazards at the end of each nine. A creek runs down the right of the 18th fairway and a lake stretches up to the green on the left, providing an arena for much last-gasp drama on Sunday. There are two reachable par-fives (the first and 12th) and two of more than 600 yards (the ninth and tenth). The first three par-threes are long and testing, but the 168-yard 16th yields more birdies. The first six holes are the easiest stretch, so it is essential to make a fast start.

Story of 2019 Thomas Pieters won the tournament for a second time, reaching 19 under par to defeat Adri Arnaus by a shot.

Weather forecast A cloudy start seems set to be followed by a sunny weekend, with hardly any wind throughout.

Type of player suited to the challenge The Albatross honours board has got the name of Thomas Pieters on it twice, as well as Haydn Porteous and Andrea Pavan - three attacking golfers - and aggressive big-hitters are favoured by its dimensions. Benign weather should aid the sluggers in a birdie-fest.

Key attribute Power

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