Important week for all at Madrid Masters
IN: News | European PGA | Madrid Masters (2008) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 08 Oct 2008
The European Tour is in Spain for this week’s Madrid Masters at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, the third last full field event of the 2008 European Tour.
With only the Portugal and Mallorca Masters remaining for fringe players to make their moves in terms of money list positions, it is a very important week for them but so too is it for the players at the other end of the scale. If Miguel Angel Jimenez was to win this week he would move closer to challenging Robert Karlsson for the top position on the European money list, especially given the money available at the last three events including the Volvo Masters.
Jimenez is likely to be the favourite because of his very good form of late and because he is playing in front of his home fans, which has often proven to be an inspiration for him.
Another who has found good form of late and who is also playing a home game is the tournament promoter, Gonzalo Fernandez Castano. The 27-year-old’s recent win at the British Masters highlights the form he is in and despite the distractions of his role in the running of the tournament he is should do well.
Martin Kaymer went so close to winning his third event of the year last week at St Andrews. His playoff loss there came on top of a good week when 8th at the Mercedes-Benz Championship. Kaymer is the third highest world ranked player in the field behind Jimenez and Angel Cabrera and deserves strong consideration.
Raphael Jacquelin won the Madrid Open at this venue in 2005 and although struggling a little with his game at present, he might be a factor.
Jose Manuel Lara and Paul Lawrie are others who played well at this venue in 2005 when an event was last held here and both have shown glimpses of the sort of form needed to do well in recent weeks.
The Australasian challenge is headed by Marcus Fraser (101st on the European money list), while Peter O’Malley (111th), Peter Fowler (127th), Matthew Millar (136th) Gareth Paddison (145th), Terry Pilkidaris (174th), Andrew Tampion (215th) and Steve Alker (251st) have the opportunity to advance their cause on the European Tour money list.
With only the top 117 retaining their cards for 2009 there is still much work to do in the next three weeks and further highlights the importance of this week for the Australasians in the field.
