Fantasy League: Castello Masters preview
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The Today’s Golfer Fantasy League spends a third week on the Iberian peninsula for this week’s Castello Masters at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo in Castellon, Valencia.
The tournament is hosted by a resurgent Sergio Garcia, but many of the biggest names on the European Tour have chosen to take the week off as they prepare for the riches of next week’s Andalucia Masters at Valderrama and the WGC – HSBC Champions the following week.
As well as the host, the field includes defending champion Matteo Manassero, two-time winner this year Alex Noren, the in-form Joost Luiten and a host of up-and-coming pros looking for a maiden Tour win.
The course is tree-lined and water comes into play on six holes so errant shots will be heavily punished. The winning totals for the last three years have been -20, -20 and -16 so it is a venue that offers up birdies and can be tamed if the ball is put in the right places.
TG’s six-man Fantasy League team for the Castello Masters is:
George Coetzee, $0.8m
The South African has had a fantastic debut European Tour season that has seen him enter the world’s top 100 and book a trip to Dubai at 26th in the Race to Dubai. He’s coming off rounds of 66-65 last weekend for a T3 at the Portugal Masters.
Sergio Garcia, $2.0m
The tournament host won here in 2008 and has had an encouraging 2011, including top 10s at the US Open and Open Championship. His driving accuracy (22nd) and greens in regulation (7th) should give him plenty of birdie chances if he can get comfortable with the putter.
Joost Luiten, $1.1m
He’s one of the form men in the field with three top 10s in his last four starts. He’s a player who builds his scores by hitting fairways and greens consistently so the course suits him and he finished T3 last year.
Matteo Manassero, $2.5m
The Italian wonderkid isn’t on great form at the moment but he is the defending champion and a great fit for the layout. He’s proved he knows how to win when he gets in the hunt.
Christian Nilsson, $0.9m
The Swede is the only player in the field to have two top 3s at this event and he’s coming off a T3 last week. He’s not the most accurate of drivers but if he can keep the ball in play off the tee he should contend.
Alex Noren, $1.0m
The world number 72 is looking for a third win of the season at a venue where he finished third in 2008. A win would take him to 8th in the Race to Dubai.
> You can register for the free Today’s Golfer Fantasy League and pick your team here.
