Golf Events / Editor / 21 July 2007 / Leave a Comment

After occupying the runners-up for the last three years, it is a fair bet that a Swede will be challenging for honours when the Scandinavian Masters is staged in Stockholm later this month.

Robert Karlsson was forced to settle for second best last year after losing out in a play-off to Scot Marc Warren, while Henrik Stenson twice suffered the misfortune of finishing as the bridesmaid in 2004 and 2005.

Amazingly, it is nine years since a Swede last triumphed in the tournament on home soil when Jesper Parnevik recorded the second of his two victories in the event, but they look set to dominate the betting when it is held for the first time at Arlandastad Golf Club from August 16-19.

Three Swedes placed in the top ten in 2006, they managed one more the year before while it was left to Stenson and Peter Hanson to chase home winner Luke Donald in 2004 and much of the interest in the betting market will be centred on the home-grown players.

Stenson was odds-on to win his first European Order of Merit title at the beginning of the summer, after starting the season with a bang, but those odds have drifted in the last two months and he needs a good finish to the year if he is to wrestle leader Padraig Harrington's title from his grasp.

Karlsson has experienced a disappointing 2007 so far but the European Ryder Cup star remains a player with enormous talent and could be a good bet after finishing in the top three twice in the last four years.

Compatriots Niclas Fasth and Peter Hanson have both enjoyed good seasons to date and may go well, while Martin Erlandsson could be trading at attractive odds in the Scandinavian Masters betting market after finishing in the top 20 the last two years.

Eight-time European of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie has a particular soft spot for the tournament after winning it three times - in 1991, 1999 and 2001 - and is likely to be a popular betting selection.

1996 and 200 champion Lee Westwood may also be a man to follow after, like Monty, returning to the winner's enclosure in 2007 and it may be worth noting his early odds.

But the tournament has been good to players seeking their maiden European Tour victory with Donald and Warren both triumphing in the last three years and, in a year when there have been so many first-time winners, it may pay to bear this in mind when making your bet.

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