European Tour finally arrives in Europe
IN: News | European PGA | Madeira Island Open (2006) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 23 Mar 2006
The European Tour sets foot in Europe for the first time in 2006 on the Portugese island of Madeira for this week's Madeira Island Open Caixa Geral de Depositos.
For the second week in succession the European Tour will play on a Robert Trent Jones Jr designed layout with the Santo de Serra Golf Club's layout re-designed by the same designer as last week's venue on Hainan Island in China. The course is elevated above the Atlantic Ocean and offers some of the most spectacular views on the European Tour, bettered perhaps only by those at the Omega Masters in Switzerland.
The defending champion is Robert Jan Derksen of the Netherlands who in winning by two shots over Andrew McLardy and Garry Orr last year claimed his second European Tour title following his victory in Dubai in 2003. With so many of Europe's leading players in Florida this week for the Players Championship the event is considered to be second tier but of course those playing this week will not necessarily see it that way.
Although Niclas Fasth missed the cut in Singapore two weeks ago, his form this season and the fact that he has won this event previously puts him in poll position this week.
Bradley Dredge is also a previous winner and has not missed a cut in his last thirteen events. He has not played since Dubai almost two months ago and has played only two events this year, which will be the only concern about backing the consistent Welshman. David Lynn is another who has not played since Dubai but was in good form early in the season. His lack of recent tournament play may count against him but he is a player good enough to win here.
Ross Fisher is a rookie on the European Tour in 2006 but he has already shown that he has what it takes to play at the top level. He looks like becoming a very good player having already recorded three top tens in nine starts in his first year. It might be a little early to expect him to win but in a field like this he has a very good chance.
John Bickerton seems to play well in this part of Europe having won the Canarie Islands Open plus several other good finishes in Portugal and Spain. He was 4th in Malaysia in his last start.
The Australasian contingent consists of only two players this week with the ACT's Matthew Millar and New Zealander Stephen Scahill in the field.
The tournament is worth €700,000 with €116,000 going to the winner.
