The European Tour returns to the vast urban expanse of Sao Paulo this week for the first leg of the South American swing. Following two highly successful weeks in Brazil last year, the tournament visits Sao Paulo Golf Club for a second time in what is sure to be another enthralling week in the world's third largest city - home to more than 20 million inhabitants.
The club boasts a rich history dating back to 1901 when it was founded by British Engineers building the Sao Paulo Railway. Built on a hill and surrounded by the residences of coffee barons, the club soon became a meeting point for families, many of them British which explains why the area is known today as "British Hill". In 1915, the Club moved to a less crowded area where it still stands today. Designed by Canadian architect, Stanley Thompson, the course is both traditional and challenging.
Twelve months ago Padraig Harrington captured the inaugural title a week after being defeated in a play-off in Rio de Janeiro by Roger Chapman. Rounds of 69-68-65-68 gave the Irishman a 14 under par total of 270 and a two stroke victory over American Gerry Norquist.
While Harrington took the title, the round of the week belonged to England's Matthew Blackey who established a new course record with an eight under par 63 in the second round. With fond memories from his South American expedition last year Blackey is relishing a return to the course where he shot the best round of his fledgling professional career.
"I didn't have many putts in that round," said Blackey. "I didn't play very well to be honest. I found myself in the rough quite a bit but every time I got on the greens the putts went flying in. I must have holed four of five from outside 25 feet. It was just one of those days.
"The course itself is not long but you have got to be straight. The rough is tricky and it is very hard to control the ball when you are in it. The fairways are also fairly narrow. You have to plot yourself round. Leave yourself on the right side of the flag and leave yourself with uphill putts to give yourself a chance. The other thing to consider is the conditions. It is always pretty hot and sticky. By the end of the round you are getting tired.”
In Blackey's opinion the signature hole is the ninth, a short par three back towards the clubhouse. "It is only about 170 yards but the green slopes severely from back to front. It is very grainy and there is a little lake short and left of the green. You have to play to get over water but you don't want it past the flag. It's just a little par three and looks nothing from the tee. It's probably only a six iron, but you have a couple of looks and suddenly the water starts glistening at you and it steers you away from it. I saw a lot of guys go big and from behind the green it just falls off and you are left with a tricky chip."
Blackey will be joined in Sao Paulo by Ryder Cup players Joakim Haeggman, Steven Richardson and Philip Walton as well as a host of European Tour winners including Norquist, Warren Bennett, José Coceres, Van Phillips and Anthony Wall. Hank Kuehne, the 1998 US Amateur champion, is also in the field playing his third consecutive European Tour event, having lined up in both Qatar and Madeira.
