Björn has Ballesteros in his sights in Crans

Thomas Björn, one of three Ryder Cup players in the field, will bid to emulate the achievements of Seve Ballesteros by winning the Omega European Masters for a third time this week.

Ballesteros, who remodelled the course at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in 1999, won back-to-back titles in 1977 and 1978, before triumphing again in 1989.

Björn has never before successfully defended a title in his illustrious career but the omens are good for the World Number 26, who has finished runner-up on two occasions in addition to his brace of victories.

Last year, the great Dane saw off Scotland’s Craig Lee with a birdie at the first extra hole, with both men having finished tied on 20 under par.

Coincidentally, that was the same winning score registered by Björn in 2011, when Martin Kaymer finished runner-up.

Should Björn win again, he would join Ballesteros as the only player to win the Omega European Masters three times since the €2.3million event joined The European Tour International Schedule in 1972.

However, the 43 year old will face some stiff competition at Crans-sur-Sierre GC, which first hosted the event in 1939.

Jamie Donaldson and Victor Dubuisson, who will also line up for Europe in The Ryder Cup at the end of the month, will both seek to embellish their stellar seasons with another strong showing in the Swiss Alps.

Donaldson recently sealed his place in Captain Paul McGinley’s European side in spectacular fashion, winning the D+D Real Czech Masters on his last start to secure his third European Tour title.

The Welshman, who is currently fourth in The Race to Dubai, boasts an impressive recent record in the Omega European Masters, having finished in a tie for ninth and joint third in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

With a Ryder Cup debut on the horizon, Donaldson will be keen to continue his rich vein of form and close the gap on runaway Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy.

His fellow Ryder Cup rookie Dubuisson will also feel confident of contending this week after finishing in a tie for third place 12 months ago.

Despite closing with a birdie, Dubuisson came up one shot shy of Björn and Lee, but the enigmatic Frenchman’s chances of securing a second European Tour victory will perhaps have been enhanced by the recent renovations made to the course.

Holding the ball on the re-designed greens could prove a greater challenge this week, with several now featuring severe run-off areas, but the 24 year old’s immaculate short game should serve him well as he bids to become the first Frenchman since Jean-François Lucquin in 2008 to triumph in Crans Montana.

Other notable names in the illustrious field include the 2010 champion Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez, who is making his 26th consecutive appearance in the tournament.

Hennie Otto will be going for back-to-back victories after his triumph in Turin last week, while at the other end of the age spectrum the US Amateur Champion Matthew Fitzpatrick, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Monday, and exciting German amateur Dominic Foos will continue their golfing educations with a debut appearance in the tournament.

Crans-sur-Sierre holds the distinction of being the only venue to hold a European Tour event in every season since 1972, whilst the Omega European Masters is the only co-sanctioned tournament staged in Europe. The event, which is celebrating its 80th edition this week, became part of the Asian Tour schedule in 2009.