Ahead of this weekend's Turkish Open, here's a look at five players expected to shine in Belek.
– Hong Kong: Rose holds firm to win title by one shot
RORY MCILROY
The world No3 makes his return to the European Tour and is sounding extremely hungry to win another title. The Motgomerie Maxx Royal is a bomber’s course – Victor Dubuisson and Brooks Koepka being the winners the last two years – so that certainly gives an edge to McIlroy.
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK
The young Englishman is in fine form and has the most number of top threes on the European Tour this year – six. He is also involved in an exciting battle for the Rookie of the Year honours with Anirban Lahiri, and with the Indian not playing this week, it is his chance to race clear.
DANNY WILLETT
He is having a great season with two wins already, but he can make it a lot better if he can somehow make up the small gap between him and McIlroy, who leads the Race to Dubai as of now. To become the European No1 would be massive for Willett, who is ranked 26th in the world.
SHANE LOWRY
Currently ranked fifth in the Race to Dubai, the genial Irishman has enjoyed a phenomenal season, including a sensational win in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He hasn’t played much after that, but comes on the back of a second place finish at the British Masters.
IAN POULTER
Nobody is under the spotlight as much in European golf right now as Poulter. It’s been a much more relaxed time for him following the mad dash to Hong Kong to save his membership, and the Englishman, who showed signs of good form last week, will fancy his chances in Antalya.
