OneAsia, Europe play Volvo China Open

BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2010 Volvo China Open | Preview | 14 Apr 2010

The Volvo China Open is, for the second consecutive year, played as an event co-sanctioned between the OneAsia and European Tours when the tournament gets underway this week at the Gary Player designed Suzhou Jinji Lake Golf Club in Suzhou about an hour west of Shanghai.

The actual tournament layout is a composite of two of the three courses at the golfing complex, nine holes from the Wetlands nine and nine from the Links layout.

The tournament is the second of the 2010 One Asia season and the 16th of the European Tour’s season.

The leading world ranked player in the field (#16) is Henrik Stenson who, although missing the cut at last week’s Masters, will be a factor.

Y.E. Yang did very well at last week’s Masters finishing in 8th place and of course is the current USPGA Champion. He has played well in the US this season even before Augusta National including a third at the Phoenix Open. His chances look very good.

West Australian Scott Strange is the defending champion and although a hand injury and the birth of his first child Meghan has occupied much if his energy in 2010 he played well enough in Chengdu two weeks ago to possibly defend here. His victory came at a different venue last year but he is proving himself to be the quiet achiever of Australian golf and could do well.

Graeme McDowell has missed his last two cuts in the US but it is fair to say that they were against much stronger players than he will face this week and in order to assess his chances it may be better to consider his impressive 6th place at the WGC event at Doral a month ago. McDowell has been a regular top ten finisher in the Volvo China Open and everything points to another this week.

Oliver Wilson has been playing very well in much bigger events in the US of late and although he missed the cut last week at Augusta National he has played this event well previously including when runner up two years ago.

Before his missed cut in Spain two weeks ago Rhys Davies was flying high in 2010. The Welshman is one of the emerging stars of European golf following a great Challenge Tour season in 2009 and a breakthrough European Tour victory in Morocco. Importantly for Davies is that he was a regular on the Asian Tour a couple of years ago so China is not new to him. He should get back on track this week.

Peter Hanson has not missed a cut since the US PGA Championship last year and although he seldom plays in Asia these days he could do well after several solid events against stronger fields in the US.

Oliver Fisher has found some good form in recent weeks in Spain and on the Madeira Islands.

Liang Wen Chong, who won in Chengdu recently, Prayad Marksaeng and Thongchai Jaidee lead the predominantly Asian based players although there are many emerging young Korean stars on the verge of great things in the game. Kim Bi-o, Bae Sang Moon and Noh Seung-yul are three who spring to mind but the almost endless pool of talent that is Korean golf is well represented this week.

The leading Australian player at the recent One Asia event in Chengdu, Kurt Barnes, is missing as he will debut as a cardholder on the Japan Golf Tour this week but there are plenty of Australasians with chances and, for that matter, a great opportunity this week.

A win here for any of the Australasians will provide automatic access to the European Tour and the opening of a new level in their career for those not otherwise qualified.

Like many others, Dodt is playing here under threat of a potential fine by the Asian Tour to those players who have Asian Tour membership but are supporting this week’s event.

Dodt’s European Tour membership however will allow him to avoid such a penalty. Last year at this same event four players were threatened with US$5000 fines for a similar offence, one of them the Australian Ashley Hall who finished third and earnt A$155,000 more than covering any potential penalty.

There is no Asian Tour event that clashes with this week’s event although next week the Asian Tour will play an event in Korea co-sanctioned with the European Tour. Confused? I am too. Go figure!

Six winners of State and Regional Championships in Australia over the summer are in the field and they will be joined by the likes of European Tour regulars Marcus Fraser, Peter O’Malley and Brett Rumford.

Twenty four Australians are currently in the field providing hope for yet another good payday for several. Michael Long, Josh Geary, Richard Lee and Danny Lee fly the New Zealand flag with Lee desperately seeking a return to form after missing eight of his last nine cuts worldwide.

The tournament has prizemoney of US$2.7 million.

Surprisingly the event will not be televised live in Australia but will be replayed the morning after each round.