As we look ahead to this week's M2M Russian Open, europeantour.com stats man Steve Doughty picks his players to watch out for at Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club.
Carlos Del Moral
A course winner in 2010, when he claimed the M2M Russian Challenge Cup on the European Challenge Tour. The 2013 European Tour Qualifying School winner is currently 101st in The Race to Dubai. He equalled his best finish on The European Tour of fourth at the Tshawne Open this year. His 18 events have yielded four top 30 finishes so far this season.
David Horsey
Recorded four top ten finishes this season, with a best of tied third in the Africa Open. His last was a tied ninth at the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity. Although he has missed his last three cuts, he is a proven European Tour winner and his class could shine and bring him a third European Tour title.
Scott Jamieson
Currently enjoying his best spell of the season, with his two highest finishes coming in his last three events. Was tied 18th at the Alstom Open de France, and tied eighth at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open - a performance which gained him entry to last week’s Open Championship.
Alex Kaleka
It could be a case of horses for courses for the Frenchman at Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club, having won the M2M Russian Challenge Cup in 2012 on the European Challenge Tour. After graduating to The European Tour that season, he produced his career-best European Tour finish of tied second in the 2013 M2M Russian Open. Whilst he is yet to produce any form of note this year, a return to Russia could ignite his season.
Matthew Nixon
Claimed a career-best European Tour finish in the 2013 M2M Russian Open of tied second. Has a best of tied fourth this year at the NH Collection Open. His recent performances have been encouraging, having finished tied 14th in the Irish Open, tied 28th at the BMW International Open and tied 12th in the Alstom Open de France. A return to Moscow could see him become The European Tour’s ninth first-time winner of the season.
