This article is part of our DraftKings Euro Tour series.
Oman Open
Location: Muscat, Oman
Course: Al Mouj Golf
Yardage: 7,452
Par: 72
Tournament Preview
The European Tour heads back to the Middle East this week for the Oman Open. The tournament will be played once again at Al Mouj Golf, a links-style course set on the coastline of the Gulf of Oman. Al Mouj Golf is a Greg Norman-designed undulating course with large bunkers and dunes throughout with wind the primary defense. Water comes into play on half of the holes. Ball-striking will be a must this week to deal with the wind and stay in position. Good putting will also be key to victory.
Key Stats to Winning at Al Mouj Golf
SG: Approach
SG: Tee To Green
Birdies
SG: Putting
Past Champions
2019 - Kurt Kitayama
2018 - Joost Luiten
DraftKings Picks
Thomas Pieters - $10,600 (11/1)
Pieters has begun the new season strongly, building off of his success last year. He arrives in Muscat following a T3 at Saudi International. His ball-striking has been superb, ranking third in SG: approach and second in SG: tee to green. Pieters finished T6 last year at Al Mouj, this course fits his game. Martin Kaymer is another appealing choice in the top price tier at $10,200. He is also in top form and seems to have recommitted himself to becoming one of the top golfers in the world again.
Matthieu Pavon - $7,700 (66/1)
I like this spot for Pavon. He has started the season with four made cuts in a row and finished T11 his last two starts. His game this year has been good in all aspects this season. He is striking it well and is seeing the results. He missed the cut last year but was T31 in 2018. He is arriving in better form this year, and I expect better results. Another golfer at the same price who deserves a look is Alexander Levy. He finished T4 in 2018 at Al Mouj Golf and flashed a return to form at Saudi International last time out.
Jeff Winther - $7,300 (80/1)
Winther has had some success in the last two years at Oman Open. He finished T12 last year and T21 in 2018. He has made five of six cuts to start the season. He has yet to get a high finish this season, which makes him a bit more risky. Winther is ranked 93rd on tour in SG: approach and 74th in SG: putting.
Maximilian Kieffer - $6,800 (125/1)
Kieffer finished T2 last year at Al Mouj Golf and T23 in 2018. This course obviously fits his game. I see value in Kieffer this week, even though last time out at Saudi International was his first made cut of the season. He is returning to a course he's had success on, which seems to be a good momentum building opportunity. Rikard Karlberg is another option at $6,600 that is continuing to have my attention. He was T22 at ISPS Handa Vic Open. His iron play has been dialed in, he is 36th in SG: approach and 45th in SG: tee to green.
