Before I discuss my favorite matchup bets for the first round of the 2021 Omega European Masters let’s take a look at the current leaders in scoring average on the European Tour that are in this week's field.
Here is a list of the top ten ranked golfers in scoring average on the European Tour that are in this week’s 2021 omega European Masters field with that player’s average round score this season.
Top Ten Golfers in Scoring Average
- Jacques Kruyswijk 68.84
- Victor Dubuisson 69.00
- Calum Hill 69.05
- Andrew Johnston 69.22
- Guido Migliozzi 69.23
- Justin Harding 69.33
- Sam Horsfield 69.49
- Richard Bland 69.60
- Dean Burmester 69.62
- Darren Fichardt 69.64
*It should be noted that the 2020 Omega European Masters was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now that we have established who the top ten golfers with regard to scoring average are on the European Tour (in this week’s field) let’s shift our attention to my favorite first round matchup bets for this week’s 2021 Omega European Masters.
Kalle Samooja -140 over Victor Perez
Samooja arrives at this week's 2021 European Masters in rather good form. Let me provide you relevant data to better shed light on my previous statement. Kalle Samooja has played 12 tournaments (European and PGA Tours combined) since the beginning of March. In those 12 events just mentioned, Samooja has accumulated six top 28 finishes, including a third place result at the 2021 Tenerife Open in May.
Samooja is currently ranked 17th in strokes gained approach (0.74) and 12th in average birdies made per round (4.47) on the European Tour.
Kalle Samooja also checks the box for me when it comes to previous event/course history. Samooja finished second at the 2019 Omega European Masters.
Guido Migliozzi -125 over Thomas Pieters
Guido Migliozzi has certainly shown golf fans around the world that he is an exceptionally talented golfer this year. How has he done that? Well, quite simply he has done so by producing outstanding results in golf tournaments. Let me be more specific. Migliozzi has played six events (European and PGA Tours combined) since the beginning of May. In those six tournaments just mentioned, Migliozzi has accumulated four top 13 finishes, including an impressive fourth place result at the 2021 U.S. Open in June.
Migliozzi also checks the box for me when it comes to key player statistics. Guido Migliozzi is currently ranked 14th in GIR (greens in regulation-71.16%), fifth in scoring average (4.33) and 16th in bogey avoidance per round (2.35) on the European Tour.
Guido Migliozzi finished 33rd at the 2019 Omega European Masters. I think Guido is a far better golfer in 2021 than he was in 2019. Having stated that, I love Guido Migliozzi's chances of defeating Thomas Pieters in this first round matchup bet.
