Garcia returns to happy hunting ground
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2007 Mallorca Classic | Preview | 24 Oct 2007
It is crunch time on the European Tour for all of those not yet fortunate enough to have guaranteed themselves a place on the 2008 European Tour. This week’s Mallorca Classic is the final full field event of the 2007 European Tour season and for those not safely inside the top 115, this event provides both opportunity and anxiety. There are many players also chasing a start in the elite top 60 field for next week’s Volvo Masters.
The Mallorca Classic is played at the Pula Golf Club on the island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain. The Pula Golf Club, an hour or so from Palma on the island has played host to the event for the past four years. The course was opened in 1995 and designed by Spanish designer Francisco Lopes Segales. In recent years there has been ongoing changes made to the course under the guidance of Spanish star Jose Maria Olazabal.
Sergio Garcia is the leading world ranked player in the field although the defending champion Niclas Fasth, who beat the Spaniard into second place last year, might have something to say as to whether Garcia can thrill the local fans or otherwise. Garcia finished runner up in 2005 also, on that occasion to Jose Maria Olazabal and in 2004 won the event so hiscomfort zone with Pula Golf Club is unquestioned.
Fasth was beaten in the opening round of the World Match Play two weeks ago but that aside he has been in very good form of late. He is already proven around the Pula Golf Club and might repeat.
Garcia has played sparingly in recent times but his last start 4th place at the Tour Championship in Atlanta was impressive in such a strong field.
Robert-Jan Derksen has hardly been spectacular in recent weeks but he has been solid and he did play well at this venue last year after a poor start.
Phillip Archer has not played as well in his last couple of starts as he did when he had consecutive runner up placed finishes in Switzerland and Germany recently. He did though finish 13th in this event last year and might be a possibility.
Miguel Angel Jimenez has not exactly starred this season in Europe but there has been enough about his recent form to suggest he might make it a good finish to the season. He played well at the Pula Golf Club two years ago and is one of the more credentialed players in the field.
After his win at the Madrid Open and several other good finishes this season Mads Vibe-Hastrup is some sort of chance to do well. He backed up his win in Madrid with a good tournament last week in Portugal and with his feet now firmly on the ground once again he stands a chance.
Peter O’Malley had a very strong week in this event last year when 5th and should do best amongst the Australians although he did miss the cut last week in Portugal. He is assured of a start at next week’s Volvo Masters so does not have that pressure and could do well.
Brett Rumford cannot be overlooked either given his recent form. He followed up his win in Switzerland with a lengthy break back home then has finished 15th and 16th in his two starts since. He is a noted wind player and this venue has a reputation for strong blustery conditions.
Other Australians in the field are Wade Ormsby, Matthew Millar, Matthew Zions, Andrew Tampion and Terry Price with all five needing something very special if they are to avoid Q School.
