Woods adds new dimension to HSBC
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2006 HSBC World Match Play Championship | Preview | 13 Sep 2006
The HSBC World Match Play captures the attention of the golfing world this week not only because of the high quality field, but because the event falls the week prior to the much anticipated Ryder Cup. The world number one Tiger Woods will also grace Wentworth with his presence for the first time since his Final loss to close friend Mark O’Meara in 1998.
Six of the world’s top ten will be in action and seven players from this event will be line up again next week at the K Club as Europe takes on the United States looking to defend their Ryder Cup title. For the tournament organisers, and the event itself, it is a far cry from the struggle there has often been in the last twenty years or so in attracting the world’s best, particularly the Americans.
The introduction of massive prize-money by HSBC when they became the sponsors of the event in 2003 is an obvious attraction but the timing of this year’s event has also been of assistance in the pursuit of the stars of the game. Not only does it precede the Ryder Cup, but the week following the drama at the K Club the American Express – World Golf Championship event will be played in Hertfordshire, not too far from Wentworth. Everything therefore points to this being one of the most intriguing World Match Play Championships in recent times.
The fabulous Harry Colt designed West Course at Wentworth Golf Club lends itself so beautifully to this format with its linear design through the existing mature vegetation and some of the most expensive real estate in all of England, adding to the intimacy of one on one match ups. Ernie Els a resident of the adjacent estate, a member of the Wentworth Golf Club, their touring professional and a six time winner of this very event, has been involved in upgrading or rather modernising the course to maintain its relevance with modern day professional golf. It’s a sad but necessary requirement for even the best of layouts.
Day one sees Tiger Woods facing of against a resurgent Shaun Micheel and while the format of 36 holes per match should see Tiger take this one, certainly Micheel has found some good form in recent weeks. It should be remembered also that in 2003, only two months after winning his PGA Championship title, Micheel took Vijay Singh to the 38th hole here before losing in the second round.
New Zealander, Michael Campbell, is the number one seed in this event only because he is the defending champion and certainly not based on his current form. He will take on the 16th seed, Simon Khan, and this match might be a tricky one for the 2005 champion. Campbell has a great record at Wentworth in both this event and the PGA Championship (BMW) played earlier in the season. Campbell arrives at Wentworth after a round the world adventure during which he has competed in Chicago, Akron, Seoul, Singapore and now London in the last five weeks. He played well in Korea against weaker opposition, finishing second in a Korean Tour event two weeks ago but clearly this is significantly different. He will be inspired by returning to what must be one of his favourite golf courses but Khan is a player capable of an upset.
Jim Furyk takes on Robert Karlsson with both players in good form and riding on a lot of confidence at present. Furyk has the type of game and demeanour to succeed in the match play environment but Karlsson has emerged as one of Europe’s best this season and is not without a chance. Both are Ryder Cup players and will be keen to get a psychological edge before next week’s encounter. This is the only US verses Europe Ryder Cup match-up in round one.
Adam Scott takes on Mike Weir and on current form the match should go to Scott. Scott won in Singapore last week beating Els in their three hole playoff and he has become a much more consistent player in 2006. Scott was knocked out of this event in the opening round in 2000, only a few months after turning professional, and in 2001. Weir was beaten in what was effectively his first round in 2003 having gained a bye into that stage. He has been disappointing recently and although Scott does not seem to play Wentworth well he should get through.
Retief Goosen will take on Paul Casey with this match up likely to be an even encounter. Goosen was a semi finalist last year when beaten by Campbell after he had beaten Mark Hensby 12 & 11 in the quarter final. Goosen found a little form at the BMW recently after an indifferent run in recent times. Casey has not played this event previously but is one of Europe’s best in 2006. His recent fourth place at the Bridgestone is an indication of his current form.
The Ernie Els and Angel Cabrera match up has the hallmarks of an outstanding contest. Both players are Wentworth specialists to a large extent with Cabrera the winner of the BMW Championship last year around this layout and of course Els a record six time winner of this event. Cabrera was beaten in the semi finals last year by Paul McGinley and like Els played well last week in Singapore.
Luke Donald was trounced by McGinley in the quarter final last year after easily accounting for Bernhard Langer in round one but he has played well enough of late to offer greater resistance this time round. The Englishman should, on paper at least, be the favourite against South African, Tim Clark. Clark however is a feisty and tough competitor and while his form in recent weeks has not been at the same level as that of Donald’s, a win is not beyond him. Clark made it to the second round in 2003 before bowing out narrowly to Ernie Els but was trounced in the first round last year by Steve Elkington.
The final match up is between Colin Montgomerie and David Howell and provides an intriguing contest. Howell was brilliant earlier this season but his form had fallen away somewhat until a good week in Germany two weeks ago. He is a winner around the Burma Road course at Wentworth when victorious at the BMW earlier this year but has not made it past round one in two attempts in this particular event. Montgomerie on the other hand is a previous winner of this event and a three time winner of the BMW (PGA) held on this same course. Both are playing at a similar level at present and this appears to be an even match up.
The tournament has prizemoney of £2.44 million with a massive £1 million ($A2.5 million) to the winner.
Photo – Anthony Powter
