Czech Masters Each-Way Tip: 40/1 Lawrence can maintain high standards

• Thriston Lawrence can build on last year's eighth

• Sean Crocker was second here two years ago

• Alexander Levy can go well at a big price

I suspect that it will come as no great surprise to regular readers of the column that your correspondent is fond of a pub quiz. The affection, however, runs deeper than merely guessing a few answers because I also scribble questions for the monthly get-together at a local bar and to my regular delight I am paid in pizza (beat that FedExCup).

I won't pretend that my posers are not occasionally a little niche, but even I accept that the following puzzle is better suited to this audience than my regular one.

No prizes, unfortunately, as I ask: Which continental European nation can lay claim to over 150 victories across the major tours since 1975 including 18 major championships, two of them this year?

"Puzzle" is, of course, an entirely appropriate word. Riddle might be another. Or nonsense, perhaps. Because there is a real sense that in using the words "lay a claim" I have been guilty of stretching the truth to breaking point (and possibly beyond).

The answer, you see, is (drum roll) the host of this week's DP World Tour event - the Czech Republic.

You might be wondering, at this stage and with some justification, when it was that Klara Spilkova and Ondrej Lieser, the country's leading golfers, achieved so much success without anyone noticing. Of course, although the former is an LET winner and the latter has enjoyed success on the second tier, the success lies elsewhere.

Nelly and Jessica Korda are where this shaggy story begins. Neither have ever considered representing any nation other than the U.S. and yet they have Czech parents and retain strong links with the country.

Next up is Bernhard Langer, the German golfing superstar whose father Erwin hailed from the then-Czechoslovakia. He refused to fight for the German army in 1938 and was later forced by the Russian Army onto a train heading for a Siberian gulag whereupon he jumped out, fled amid a hail of bullets and hid in the forest for six months before restarting his life in Germany where Bernhard was later born.

That was not the only dramatic golfing escape from the Czech Republic. Alex Cejka, this year's British Senior Open champion, was just 9 when his father took him on a remarkable journey that included trains, skis, a bike ride and a swim through Yugoslavia, Italy and Switzerland to safety in Germany.

We could also add Sandra Gal, another German with Czech heritage. The conclusion is that my original point is rather far-fetched (for one thing it includes senior majors) and yet the Czech Republic might just be Europe's phantom golfing stronghold.

As it is, the country hosts one of the last opportunities for Europe's golfers to remind Luke Donald that they deserve Ryder Cup selection.

Shane Lowry has made the journey across the pond, as have the exciting pair Ludvig Aberg and Adrien Dumont De Chassert. Together with Adrian Meronk, Robert MacIntyre and the Hojgaard twins they head the Race to Rome.

We, however, will look elsewhere in our quest for each way value.

Main Bet: Thriston Lawrence 1pt each-way @ 40/1

Over the last 12 months, the column has profited from having identified Thriston Lawrence's capacity to play fine golf at altitude and there seems no reason to quit trying this week.

Now it's entirely possible that you're reading those words and thinking my notion of Prague being at altitude has about as much veracity as my theory that the Czech Republic is the secret Home of Golf.

But Vysoky Uvezd, where the Albatross Golf resort is situated, is 432 metres above sea level which ranks as a-bit-thinner-than-usual-air but it's still a factor.

After we backed Lawrence at Eichenried earlier this summer I double-checked with caddies and a few sums are required in these central European spots.

And to reiterate: Lawrence has won twice in Johannesburg, once in Crans, once in Munich and been second in Nairobi in the last two seasons.

He was also eighth on his course debut last year.

He warmed up for these late stages of the European season with an outing in South Africa last week and after knocking off some rust in the first round he carded a second round 65 on his way to T12th.

Next Best: Sean Crocker 1pt each-way @ 70/1

The two wins of Thomas Pieters in this event, plus those of Haydn Porteous and to a lesser extent Johannes Veerman, plus the strong efforts of Gavin Green, Tapio Pulkannen, Adri Arnaus and Pelle Edberg point to the ability of power hitters to attack the course from the tee.

To those names we could add Sean Crocker who was second on debut in 2021 when never outside the top three.

Last year he could only manage T41st but it did come shortly after he had claimed his first DP World Tour win and was part of a long hangover which followed that breakthrough.

In closing with rounds of 64-65 for second at the Scandinavian Mixed he broke that spell and he's played well since.

He was T14th at Eichenried, T19th in the Scottish Open and T10th at the Barracuda Championship last time out, high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Final Bet: Alexander Levy 1pt each-way @ 100/1

At such a big price I can't ignore the Frenchman Alex Levy.

He finished T18th in his only visit to the course in 2018 and it might easily be the place he confirms his return to form.

It's a very modern design and he has won on similar tests such as Genzon, Topwin, Dom Pedro and Bad Griesbach.

As it happens the last of those is at 453 metres above sea level so very similar to this week.

He's made six cuts on the bounce and also showed bright form on the tour's mini-visit to the States - he was ninth at Keene Trace and thrashed a first round 63 in the mountains a week later.

*Having difficulty working out the place returns? Fret no more - you can easily work out your returns with our new each way calculator.