Gonzalez looks likely at Open de Canarias
IN: News | European PGA | Open de Canarias (2005) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 06 Oct 2005
In one of their last chances of the season, many of the European Tour's lesser lights get the chance to pick up a cheque that could go a long way towards regular employment in 2006 when the Abama Open de Canarias (otherwise known as the Canary Islands Open) starts later today. With only three full field events left before the season ending Volvo Masters, those teetering on the edge of regaining or losing their European cards must step up to the plate this week.
The Abama Golf Club is located in the south of the island of Tenerife and looks out over the Atlantic Ocean. It was designed by Welshman Dave Thomas, twice runner up in the British Open Championship, who has been prolific in his design work in Great Britain and Europe over the last twenty years.
The event is co-sanctioned between both the European Tour and the Challenge Tour. The field, as could be expected, is depleted of Europe's stars with most of them in California this week but last year's runner up in this event, albeit at another venue, Ricardo Gonzalez is sure to be the favourite following his good showing last week at the dunhill links championship.
Argentine, Gonzalez, will feel at home in this Spanish speaking territory and given that his 2005 season has improved significantly in recent weeks, he is likely to challenge for this title once again. A winner of both the Madrid and Seville Opens in recent years he appears to love playing on Spanish soil and this is the next best thing. Gonzaelz has many of the mannerisms of his fellow countryman Angel Cabrera and although he has not developed to the same extent as Cabrera, he could well add his fourth European Tour title this week.
Scott Drummond played well last week in Scotland finishing 19th after a last round 75 cost him a few places and a few dollars. He was 12th in Germany the week prior so seems to be getting a little closer to the form that saw him win the Volvo PGA Championship in 2004.
Spanish golfer Carlos Rodiles has not really fulfilled the potential that many expected he would, but it was at about this time last year when he played well for a few weeks and in Spain also. With a reasonable week last week in Scotland it would not surprise if he thrilled the local fans this week.
Of the Australasians, Marcus Fraser is here along with Brad Kennedy, Jarrod Moseley and Gareth Paddison. Fraser is currently 114th on the European Tour money list and clearly needs a big week soon to reverse a trend that has seen him miss his last six cuts. The 2002 Individual winner at the Eisenhower Trophy is too good a player to be languishing where he is.
Kennedy and Moseley are also struggling well outside the top 115 and will need something special soon otherwise it may well be back to the Tour School for both of them. Gareth Paddison has struggled for most of the year on the Challenge Tour and this represents pretty much his last chance of avoiding Tour School.
So while much of the attention in world golf this week is focused on California there will be many whose attention span will be restricted to the battle going on here at Abama.
The tournament is worth just €450,000 but it might just feel like a fortune and be the turning point for the winner this week.
