Defending champion Paul Casey, current European Number One David Howell and last year’s runner-up Paul McGinley form an impressive Ryder Cup trio headlining the field for this week’s TCL Classic at Yalong Bay Golf Club in China.
Asian Tour Number One Charlie Wi of Korea and China’s golfing superstar Zhang Lian-Wei further enhance an impressive field gathered on the stunning southern island of Hainan, known as the ‘Jewel of the South China Sea’, for the event jointly sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour.
Englishman Casey captured the title in thrilling fashion last year when he beat Irishman McGinley at the second extra hole of a sudden-death play-off. It was the start of Casey’s love affair with China which he endorsed by winning the Volvo China Open at Shenzhen Golf Club in November, this time beating compatriot Oliver Wilson in extra holes.
“I am very much looking forward to returning to defend my TCL title,” he said. “China was obviously a very successful Tour destination for me in 2005, and that all started in Sanya last March. I believe they have added some new tees and bunkers this year, but I will bring a lot of confidence to the event as the course is set up well for my game.”
Fellow Englishman Howell also enjoyed phenomenal success in China when he held off the challenge of World Number One Tiger Woods to win his biggest title to date – the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai last November.
That victory in the first event of The 2006 European Tour International Schedule elevated Howell to the top of The European Tour Order of Merit and helped him to his current position of 14th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
"I have great memories of China both on and off the course," said the 30 year old. "I found it a fascinating place to visit and thankfully my schedule has allowed me to return, so I'm really looking forward to it."
Howell said he would draw inspiration from his memorable three-shot win over Woods. "Going head to head with Tiger was absolutely wonderful. Just to be in that position, against the best player in the world, was something I enjoyed tremendously," he said.
"I wasn't as nervous as I thought I might be and perhaps that helped going down the stretch. It probably convinced me that I can compete with the best players in the world on a regular basis.
Last year McGinley thrilled the galleries at Yalong Bay GC with a sensational final round of 63 to take Casey into a play-off. It was a round McGinley described as one of the best he has played and, although Casey held him off in the play-off, McGinley is sure to use that experience in his bid for a fifth European Tour title.
"That 63 was one of the best rounds of my career considering that I had to shoot it to get into a play-off," he said. Scores like that tend to happen when you feel good on the course and that's exactly how I was. It's one of the best courses I have played for a long time.
"Losing the play-off wasn't quite as painful as it might normally have been because I had had to shoot really low to get there in the first place. But no golfer ever likes finishing second and I'll be doing everything I possibly can to go one better this time."
Zhang carries the hopes of the home nation as he looks to win his first title since he captured the Singapore Masters in 2003. Zhang has won two titles on the Asian Tour in his home country – in Macau and Shanghai – and is aiming to enter the record books as the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event in China.
Yalong Bay Golf Course is situated in the resort of Sanya, on Hainan Island, the most southern point of China and one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations. The course itself is designed by the Robert Trent Jones Design Company and is shaped like a dragon’s claw.
