Genworth Stats Pack - Lyoness Open Powered by Greenfinity Preview

Bernd Wiesberger returns to his home country this week as the defending champion over a course he seems to love, and he arrives in superb form off the back of a string of good results (including a third place finish in Sweden last week). Looking at his Genworth Statistics since the beginning of March, the 27 year old golfer from Austria is driving it long and hitting lots of greens in regulation, plus he is scrambling and putting well (putting statistics generally rank lower if the player is hitting lots of greens because the ball is finishing on average further from the hole). Bernd has not missed a cut all year and the recent consistency in his game is leading to a fantastic 70.13 Stroke Average. He starts as the tournament favourite.

After a slow start to the season, Pablo Larrazábal has been a model of consistency over the past few months, with six top 15 finishes from his last seven events. Looking at his Genworth Statistics since the beginning of March, this consistency is stemming from approach shots that are not only hitting the greens but also finishing close enough to convert a good percentage of the subsequent putts (see the high rankings for Greens in Regulation and Putts per GIR). Over that period, Pablo ranks 1st for Par 4 Scoring and 2nd for the all-important Stroke Average ranking (behind Mikko Ilonen who is not playing this week). He also has a decent record at Diamond Country Club, which includes a 10th place finish last year.

Thomas Björn is showing some good form as we approach the middle of the season, with 8th, 40th and 4th place finishes from his last three starts. Looking at his Genworth Statistics since the beginning of March, the 42 year old Great Dane is performing steadily from tee to green, but he seems to have his eye in on the putting surfaces, ranking well for each of those categories. Thomas has not competed at Diamond Country Club over the past three years but he is likely to figure this week.

After a lengthy lay off due to a broken leg from a skiing accident, you would think that Miguel Angel Jiménez would be a little rusty. Well think again because the 49 year old Spanish maestro has finish MC / 4th / 14th in the three events since his return (looking like he was never away). His Genworth Statistics highlight that he is perhaps not hitting quite as many greens as he usually does but both his short game and putting seem very strong. It is great to see the much loved character back in full swing.

David Horsey has not competed at Diamond Country Club over the past three years but still arrives as one of the favourites to take the title this week. So far he looks to have carefully managed his 2013 schedule (not overplaying) which has produced some great results for him, including three top 6 finishes from his last four starts. The 28 year old Englishman is regarded as being one of the best putters on tour and his Genworth Statistics since the beginning of March certainly back that up.

Joost Luiten last competed in this event at Diamond Country Club in 2011 (he finished 3rd) and arrives in good form off the back of a solid performance last week in Sweden (tied 11th). Looking at his Genworth Statistics since the beginning of March, Joost’s long game seems to be in great shape, ranking 27th for Driving Accuracy and 30th for Greens in Regulation, which is leading to relatively few dropped shots per round. The 27 year old golfer from the Netherlands is likely to be in confident mood and may well secure his second European Tour title come Sunday.

Rikard Karlberg will have fond memories of this course having finished 4th here last year, plus he arrives in good form off the back of a stellar performance in Sweden (where he finished 4th). Looking at his Genworth Statistics since the beginning of March, the 26 year old golfer from Sweden is hitting lots of Greens in Regulation and his touch on and around the putting surfaces is excellent. If his accuracy from the tee can improve just a little then he may be a force to be reckoned with this week.

Grégory Bourdy finished 18th here last year and he arrives off the back of some steady performances (note he has achieved two top 3 finishes already this year). Looking at his Genworth Statistics since the beginning of March, the 31 year old golfer from France is driving the ball accurately and he is hitting a good number of greens, plus his short game seems to be pretty steady as well. A good week on the greens should really help his momentum and may see him into contention once again.

Lee Slattery has performed very consistency so far this season (missing just one cut) but he is waiting for that big week to push on. Looking at his Genworth Statistics since the beginning of March, the 34 year old golfer from England shows no real weaknesses, although he has not yet really excelled in any one department. Lee could be a dark horse here though. A player who is consistently churning out solid results is likely to fire in a big week (often when least expected).