European Tour heads to Moscow for Russian Open
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2007 Russian Open | Preview | 02 Aug 2007
The Russian Open in Moscow is the European Tour’s stop this week and while all of its leading players will be at the World Golf Championship event in Akron, Ohio, just as many will feel this event holds as much significance in the development of their own careers.
The event has provided a boost for the hopes of fringe dwellers and emerging players in recent years and this year promises to be no different with the US$2 million purse being by far the highest in it’s history. This year’s first prize of €244,000 is nearly twice that on offer in 2006 and if it wasn’t for the fact that the event runs opposite the WGC event in Ohio, it is likely that the several of Europe’s leading players would be in Moscow this week.
The Robert Trent Jones designed Moscow Golf Club boasts the title of being Russia’s first ever golf course but that hardly makes it old. It was opened in 1993 and has played host to this event since 1996.
Last year’s winner was Alejandro Canizares who, in just his third European Tour event, secured his immediate future on that tour. Canizares is not in the field this week and so the favouritism is likely to be contested by Zane Scotland, Steve Webster and Robert-Jan Derksen but so evenly matched is this field of the European Tour’s lesser lights that there are many chances.
Scotland has played beautifully in recent weeks including an 11th last week in Germany and a 12th placing at the French Open earlier in the season. Now free from bad injuries received in a car accident several years ago, Scotland looks likely to fulfil the promise his significant amateur career suggested.
Webster has rediscovered his game in recent weeks and his top tens in Germany and Scotland have him ready to do even better this week. The 2005 Italian Open winner looks on the verge of his second European Tour win.
Derksen has had good weeks in stronger fields than this in season 2007. He has played this event on two occasions struggling at both attempts but he is a far more accomplished player now than was the case back then.
The tournament offers several Australasians the chance to consolidate or secure their place on the 2007 money list. Matthew Zions has played well in his rookie European Tour season and with just a few holes to play at the Open Championship at Carnoustie was one of only a dozen or so players under par for the tournament. He imploded over the closing holes on Friday to miss the cut by one but his progress generally this season has been significant and if he has recovered from his Carnoustie experience he might do well.
Peter Fowler, Brett Rumford, Scott Strange, Wade Ormsby, Terry Pilkadaris, Simon Nash, David Bransdon and New Zealanders, Steve Alker and Mahal Pearce are other Australasians in the field.
