European Tour heads for Austria
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2012 The Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity | Preview | 24 Jul 2012
The European Tour returns to a level or normality this week after key events in Ireland, France, Scotland and of course last week in England have showcased the elite of not only European golf but world golf also.
The Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrug in Austria replaces the Austrian Open but will be played at the same venue as has been the case for the past two years.
The field includes a young man who made quite a name for himself last week at Royal Lytham & St Annes when he played with Tiger Woods in round three and gave a very good account of himself.
Thorbjorn Olesen impressed most with the quality of his swing and that he so nearly matched Woods round of 70 when he was round in 71 on that day. The Sicilian Open winner earlier this year looks to be a player headed for a much higher standing in European golf then he currently enjoys.
The highest world ranked player in the field is Pablo Larrazabal who is actually playing some solid golf this season. He has made every one of his last 16 cuts and was runner-up in Spain earlier in the year. He should do well against this significantly weaker field than those he has faced of late.
Defending champion Kenneth Ferrie was a surprise winner in 2011 and if he was to win again it might be just as big a surprise. He has missed five out of his last six cuts and has had a best of 30th in the twelve months since he won here.
Australians in the field are Matthew Zions, Brett Rumford, Scott Strange and invitees Kieran Pratt and Wade Ormsby.
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