Betfred British Masters 2025 Betting Tips: Laurie to Canter to victory at The Belfry

Marco Penge continued his superb season in Denmark last week, closing with two clutch birdies to win his second DP World Tour title of 2025.

Although still very much a longshot, it catapults him into the Ryder Cup picture and he’ll be hoping to impress again on home soil this week, as the tour heads to The Belfry’s Brabazon Course for the Betfred British Masters.

Our golf tipster Jamie Worsley is back with his long-read preview of the event and has picked out six players to back each-way this week. Don't forget as title sponsor, we are paying a huge 10 places this week, so check out Jamie's  thoughts and those all-important Betfred British Masters 2025 Betting Tips below...

TOURNAMENT HISTORY 

First held in 1946, the British Masters is one of the oldest tournaments on the DP World Tour. It was a mainstay on the calendar until being cancelled in 2009, but it returned in 2015 and has remained on the schedule since.

This prestigious championship has been won by many of the tour's biggest stars. Seve Ballesteros (1986, 1991), Ian Woosnam (1983, 1994) and Greg Norman (1981, 1982) are part of a group of 12 players to have won it on two occasions; Bernhard Langer (1980), Sir Nick Faldo (1989), Colin Montgomerie (1998), Justin Rose (2002), Lee Westwood (2007) and Matt Fitzpatrick (2015) are also among the famous names to have lifted the trophy.

Last five winners:

• 2024 (The Belfry)

Winner: Niklas Norgaard (-16)

Runner-up: Thriston Lawrence (-14)

• 2023 (The Belfry)

Winner: Daniel Hillier (-10)

Runners-up: Gunner Wiebe, Oliver Wilson (-8)

• 2022 (The Belfry)

Winner: Thorbjorn Olesen (-10)

Runner-up: Sebastian Soderberg (-9)

• 2021 (The Belfry)

Winner: Richard Bland (-13, playoff)

Runner-up: Guido Migliozzi (-13)

• 2020 (Close House)

Winner: Renato Paratore (-18)

Runner-up: Rasmus Hojgaard (-15)

Niklas Norgaard won his first DP World Tour title in last season's British Masters, converting a four-shot 54-hole lead to beat Thriston Lawrence by two strokes. The Dane returns to defend this week.

THE COURSE

The Belfry's Brabazon Course hosted the final three editions of the British Masters before it went on hiatus in 2009. Having been held at several different venues upon its comeback, the course reassumed hosting duties in 2021 and has remained the exclusive home since.

Former golfer and legendary commentator Peter Alliss originally designed the Brabazon Course in 1977, before it was renovated by Dave Thomas in the late 1990s. While it has hosted numerous events on the DP World Tour – including the 2020 UK Championship, won by Rasmus Hojgaard – the layout is most well known as a four-time Ryder Cup host – staging the event on four occasions, in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002.

The course plays as a par 72 measuring 7356yds and possesses 3x par 3s (177-226 yards), 12x par 4s (319-497 yards) and 3x par 5s (538-566 yards). It has always provided a strong all-round challenge and averaging a winning score of -12.25 in the four renewals since 2020, that test has shown little sign of letting up.

This U.S-style parkland course is flat, densely tree-lined and requires a strategic approach to contend. The predominantly doglegging fairways are narrow, with smartly-positioned bunkers and punishing rough offering protection, contributing to one of the most demanding driving tests on the DP World Tour.

The average-sized poa/bentgrass greens are usually speedy and packed with variety, with some small and others large, showcasing severe undulations and multiple tiers. They're tricky to hit and it can be difficult to access devilish pin positions. Meanwhile, deep greenside bunkers and thick rough guards the surfaces.

Risk/reward is a prevailing feature at The Belfry, with water a lurking danger on 11 holes. The 319yd par-4 10^th is perhaps the most memorable of these – a drivable par 4 that is protected by water short and left.

It also contributes to the demanding 497yd par-4 18^th, sitting to the left of the angled fairway and short of the long, multi-tiered green. This is a hole on which players often have their hopes dashed, making for a nervy finish to the event for those in contention.

THE WEATHER

Conditions look ideal at The Belfry this week, with warm, dry and bright weather predicted throughout. There is forecast to be a little rain on Sunday, but it shouldn't impact the course too much and with no wind to cause problems, it will be left to the course itself to provide the challenge.

KEY STATS

• SG: Approach/Greens-in-Regulation

This is a serious test of ball-striking and it's no surprise to see those with a strong long game dominate in recent years.

Quality iron play is a vital part of that, shown by last year's winner Niklas Norgaard ranking 4^th in greens-in-regulation (GIR) and 27^th in approach. Runner-up Thriston Lawrence ranked 1^st in approach and 2^nd in GIR; 3^rd-place finisher Rasmus Hojgaard ranked 12^th in GIR and 21^st in approach; Jeong Weon Ko in 4^th ranked 5^th in GIR and 18^th in approach.

The 2023 champion Daniel Hillier ranked inside the top 20 in each stat, as runner-up Oliver Wilson ranked 1^st in GIR.

Thorbjorn Olesen ranked 16^th in approach on his way to taking the title in 2022. His nearest challenger, Sebastian Soderberg, ranked inside the top 10 in both areas, whilst 3^rd-place finisher Justin Walters ranked 1^st in approach and 3^rd in GIR.

This trend continues when we go as far back as the 2021 edition. Winner Richard Bland ranked 1^st in approach and 2^nd in GIR; 2^nd-place finisher Guido Migliozzi ranked 7^th in approach and 8^th in GIR.

• SG: Off-the-Tee and/or Driving Accuracy

As mentioned, this is one of the most demanding driving tests on tour. Therefore, the driver is another key element to contending at the Brabazon Course.

Niklas Norgaard produced a superb performance off-the-tee (OTT) last season, ranking 1^st, and although he led the field in driving distance he also ranked 4^th in driving accuracy. Thriston Lawrence ranked 14^th OTT, Rasmus Hojgaard ranked 10^th, and Jeong Weon Ko ranked 12^th OTT and 4^th in driving accuracy.

The top two in 2023, Daniel Hillier and Oliver Wilson, ranked inside the top 25 in driving accuracy; three of the top five in 2022 finished within the top 25 OTT; 2021 champion Richard Bland ranked 1^st in driving accuracy.

• SG: Putting (poa/bent)

Putting lags behind the long game in importance here, but proven poa or poa/bentgrass putters are still of interest. Stand out performances in this regard include Danish winners, Niklas Norgaard (2024) and Thorbjorn Olesen (2022), ranking 7^th and 2^nd on the greens, respectively.

• Par 4 Scoring

Finally, due to the volume, variety and sheer difficulty of the par 4s, players must perform strongly on those holes.

CORRELATING EVENTS (COURSES)

Omega European Masters (Crans-sur-Sierre)

Crans-sur-Sierre is a shorter and hillier layout than the Brabazon Course; nonetheless, they share striking similarities. Both are tree-lined, feature multiple risk/reward opportunities, and present a similarly demanding test on and around the greens.

Notable correlating form:

Rasmus Hojgaard:

UK Championship (1^st) / European Masters (1^st)

Thriston Lawrence:

British Masters (2^nd) / European Masters (1^st)

Sebastian Soderberg:

British Masters (2^nd) / European Masters (1^st)

Oliver Wilson:

British Masters (2^nd) / European Masters (5^th)

Guido Migliozzi:

British Masters (2^nd) / European Masters (7^th, 8^th)

Richie Ramsay:

British Masters (3^rd) / European Masters (1^st)

Connor Syme:

British Masters (3^rd) / European Masters (3^rd)

Jorge Campillo:

UK Championship/British Masters (6^th, 7^th) / European Masters (4^th)

Soudal Open/Belgian Knockout (Rinkven International)

Rinkven International is another flat, tree-lined course with doglegging fairways that requires a strategic approach. Risk/reward holes are commonplace, and it ranks closely to this week's course in tee-to-green difficulty.

Notable correlating form:

Niklas Norgaard:

British Masters (1^st) / Soudal (2^nd)

Thorbjorn Olesen:

British Masters (1^st) / Soudal (3^rd)

Guido Migliozzi:

British Masters (2^nd) / Belgian Knockout (1^st)

Thriston Lawrence:

British Masters (2^nd) / Soudal (4^th)

Ewen Ferguson:

British Masters (4^th) / Soudal (2^nd)

Chase Hanna:

British Masters (6^th) / Soudal (4^th)

Romain Langasque:

British Masters (8^th, 8^th) / Soudal (2^nd)

BMW International Open (Golfclub Munchen Eichenried)

Golfclub Munchen Eichenried is a flat and tree-lined par 72 that plays to an almost identical yardage as the Brabazon Course. Comparing closely in most aspects from a statistical point of view – especially approach play – it can prove a worthwhile comp this week.

Notable correlating form:

Richard Bland:

British Masters (1^st) / BMW International (2^nd)

Daniel Hillier:

British Masters (1^st) / BMW International (3^rd)

Thriston Lawrence:

British Masters (2^nd) / BMW International (1^st)

Adrian Meronk:

British Masters (3^rd) / BMW International (3^rd)

Connor Syme:

British Masters (3^rd) / BMW International (4^th)

Ewen Ferguson:

British Masters (4^th) / BMW International (1^st)

Jorge Campillo:

UK Championship/British Masters (6^th, 7^th) / BMW International (3^rd)

Romain Langasque:

British Masters (8^th, 8^th) / BMW International (5^th, 9^th)

Kenya Open (Muthaiga Golf Club)

As a tight, tree-lined course with narrow fairways that dogleg severely in places, Muthaiga Golf Club provides a similarly strategic challenge off the tee.

Notable correlating form:

Thriston Lawrence:

British Masters (2^nd) / Kenya (2^nd)

Ewen Ferguson:

British Masters (4^th) / Kenya (7^th, 8^th)

Jeong Weon Ko:

British Masters (4^th) / Kenya (9^th)

Jorge Campillo:

UK Championship/British Masters (6^th, 7^th) / Kenya (1^st)

Hurly Long:

British Masters (6^th) / Kenya (2^nd)

Julien Brun:

British Masters (8^th) / Kenya (7^th)

Alfred Dunhill Championship (Leopard Creek)

Finally, Leopard Creek is a winding, tree-lined course that has a tough ball-striking test akin to what players will face this week.

Notable correlating form:

Thorbjorn Olesen:

British Masters (1^st) / Alfred Dunhill (2^nd)

Richard Bland:

British Masters (1^st) / Alfred Dunhill (2^nd)

Oliver Wilson:

British Masters (2^nd) / Alfred Dunhill (5^th)

Adrian Meronk:

British Masters (3^rd) / Alfred Dunhill (2^nd)

Benjamin Hebert:

UK Championship (3^rd) / Alfred Dunhill (3^rd, 4^th)

THE FIELD

We have an exciting field teeing it up at The Belfry this week, including 13 of the world's top 100. They are headed by the top-ranked English duo of Aaron Rai (No. 32) and Matt Fitzpatrick (No. 35) – both returning from PGA Tour action this week.

Niklas Norgaard defends his title and is one of six former winners in attendance, joined by Daniel Hillier (2023), Eddie Pepperell (2018), Alex Noren (2016), Matt Fitzpatrick (2015) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (2008).

Americans, Brandt Snedeker and Patrick Rodgers, both make the trip across the pond to make their debuts here, adding extra intrigue to the event. Meanwhile, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald tees it up while keeping an eye on several contenders for a place on the team at Bethpage Black in a month's time.

*You can check out the latest Betfred British Masters 2025 Odds and bet on this event over on betfred.com

SELECTIONS 

Market leaders: Aaron Rai 11/1, Matt Fitzpatrick 11/1, Rasmus Hojgaard 16/1, Alex Noren 16/1, Matt Wallace 18/1

2 pts Laurie Canter each-way (1/5 - 10 places) @ 30/1

As the strongest driver on the DP World Tour, it's no surprise that Laurie Canter has developed a decent record at the Brabazon Course. He's been hitting his irons strongly of late and with a hectic major season now over, I expect him to kick on in this latter part of the year.

Canter was in superb form at the beginning of the season, finishing 3^rd in the Dubai Desert Classic and winning the Bahrain Championship in his first two starts. He then finished 2^nd in the South African Open at the start of March and though failing to really strike a blow in a stint stateside, it was a positive to see him finish 7^th in the correlating BMW International Open three starts ago.

He drives the ball long and relatively straight – a combo that sees him rank 2^nd on the DP World Tour off-the-tee. Further rankings of 11^th in greens-in-regulation and 18^th in approach enhance his profile for this test.

Canter has played the course four times, finishing 13^th in the UK Championship in 2020 and has recorded additional finishes of 30^th in 2021 and 25^th in 2024. That solid record is bolstered by an appealing collection of comp form, finishing 3^rd in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, 7^th in the Soudal Open and 7^th in the BMW International Open.

2 pts Thriston Lawrence each-way (1/5 - 10 places) @ 30/1

Thriston Lawrence had every chance of winning here last year before eventually settling for a 2^nd-place finish. Although his latest form figures don’t appear too attractive, he’s been hitting the ball strongly and with his comp form stronger than most, I’m taking him to go one better this year.

Lawrence endured a difficult start to his debut season on the PGA Tour but started to turn the year around with a rare trip to Europe in 2025, finishing 4^th in the Soudal Open. He’s since finished 12^th in the U.S. Open, 8^th in the Rocket Classic and though he arrives having missed three of his last five cuts, it’s a positive to see the long game remain intact, especially the driver.

The South African ranks 50^th off-the-tee on the PGA Tour this season and 32^nd in driving accuracy. He’s also found plenty of greens and after lacking precision with his approach play earlier in the year, he’s been striking his irons better over the last three months.

Lawrence recorded finishes of 36^th and 39^th here before finishing as the runner-up in 2024. He’s a former winner of both the BMW International Open and Omega European Masters, and with additional finishes of 2^nd in the Kenya Open and 4^th in the Soudal Open strengthening his comp form, this is the type of test that clearly suits his game.

1 pt Daniel Brown each-way (1/5 - 10 places) @ 60/1

Dan Brown hasn’t quite fired on his two previous visits to The Belfry. That being said, both of his wins on the DP World Tour have come on tight, tree-lined courses and with his long game looking in great shape, I expect him to improve his British Masters record this week.

Brown has been inconsistent this season, but his results have been peppered with quality. He finished 2^nd in the Bahrain Championship in February and immediately followed with results of 10^th in Qatar and 14^th in the Joburg Open.

After going through an indifferent run of form thereafter, he won the BMW International Open four starts ago. Meanwhile, he hit the ball well in a 19^th-place finish in the Nexo Championship when we last saw him.

He was the strongest iron player in the field at Trump International and also ranked 7^th in greens-in-regulation. The driver has looked sound, ranking 28^th and as a solid 55^th-ranked putter, there’s a great deal to like about his performances at present.

Brown missed the cut by one on his debut at the Brabazon Course in 2023, before returning to finish 68^th last year. However, his excellent display of ball-striking to win at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried a month-and-a-half ago bodes well, as does his first DP World Tour win at the similarly tight, tree-lined and strategic Galgorm Castle in 2023.

1 pt Angel Ayora each-way (1/5 - 10 places) @ 70/1

Spanish rookie Angel Ayora has quickly established himself as one of the top drivers on the DP World Tour this season. Although he’s teeing it up at The Belfry for the first time, he has impressed on a selection of the comp courses mentioned and I expect his strength with the driver to carry him far around this layout.

Finishing 5^th in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and 6^th in the Australian PGA Championship at the end of 2024, Ayora took little time to show he belonged at this level. He hasn’t quite matched it in 2025, but he’s been perfectly solid, picking up five additional top-20s, including a best of 7^th in the Italian Open.

He shines through the bag, ranking 16^th from tee-to-green and gaining strokes in each individual area. However, it’s the driver with which he excels most, ranking 7^th off-the-tee due to an enviable combo of power and accuracy.

Having finished 5^th in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, 11^th in the Soudal Open and 20^th in the Kenya Open, these strategic, tree-lined courses would appear to be a good fit for Ayora. The exceptionally talented youngster can prove so this week.

1 pt Frederic LaCroix each-way (1/5 - 10 places) @ 70/1

Frederic LaCroix has been in consistent form this season, and he arrives with two top-20 finishes in his last three starts. He’s a player who does all of his best work with the long game and showing promise at the Brabazon Course in previous years, he can become a two-time DP World Tour winner on Sunday.

LaCroix has hit the top-25 on six occasions from 13 starts in 2025. His 7^th-place finish in the BMW International Open three starts ago offered plenty of encouragement and after missing the cut in the Nexo Championship two weeks ago, he responded with a 16^th-place finish in defence of his Danish Golf Championship title.

The Frenchman hit his irons well last week, ranking 9^th in greens-in-regulation and 15^th in approach – stats in which he ranks 23^rd and 28^th for the season overall. He also ranked 24^th off-the-tee (another player who marries length with precision) and whilst the putter has been a concern, he can build on one of his top-three putting performances of the season in Denmark.

LaCroix made his debut here in 2022, closing with a four-under 68 to record a 21^st-place finish. He produced another likable performance in 2023, finishing 34^th and having collected finishes of 7^th, 10^th and 20^th on three of his four starts in the BMW International Open, I’m confident this is a course at which his best is yet to come.

1 pt Dan Bradbury each-way (1/5 - 10 places) @ 125/1

Descending on The Belfry following five straight missed cuts, Dan Bradbury wouldn’t be the most obvious selection this week. Yet, he hit the ball superbly through two rounds last week – not a shock considering it’s with the long game that he excels – and with an 8^th-place finish to his name at this venue, he’s worth chancing at a big price.

Bradbury’s form figures show more letters than numbers this year. He found form for a couple of weeks in the Netherlands and Italy, finishing 7^th in the KLM Open and 3^rd in the Italian Open in consecutive starts. Heading into those events off the back of three missed cuts, he’s clearly a player who can suddenly find something on a suitable layout without much warning.

Ranking 32^nd in driving accuracy, 40^th in greens-in-regulation, 40^th off-the-tee and 46^th in approach, his skillset certainly suggests that the Brabazon Course is a course that he should appreciate.

He hit the ball better than just about anyone last week, ranking 2^nd in approach and 4^th off-the-tee for his two rounds. The putter was his again his nemesis, but he’s capable of getting hot on the greens unexpectedly and if he does so this week, Bradbury will have every chance of bettering that impressive 8^th-place finish on debut in 2023.

You can access all our latest Golf Odds over on Betfred.com

You can find all Jamie's latest Golf Betting Tips over on our dedicated golf Insights hub