Paul Casey, Paul McGinley and Colin Montgomerie, one quarter of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup side which beat the United States last September, head a strong cast for the TCL Classic at Yalong Bay Golf Club, Sanya, Hainan Island, China, this week.
Montgomerie won the inaugural edition of the TCL Classic in 2002 when the event, staged solely by the Asian Tour, was held at Harbour Plaza Golf Club, Shenzhen, southern China. Now, the US $1 million event is being jointly sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour in collaboration with the China Golf Association.
The Scot, who finished fourth in the Dubai Desert Classic, continues his quest to return to the world’s top 50 and secure a place in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National next month. At the moment, the seven time European Tour Order of Merit winner is 54th on the Official World Golf Ranking and knows that another strong performance can consolidate his claims to break back into the top 50.
Irishman McGinley, who competed in the Qatar Masters last week, flies further eastwards from two weeks in the Gulf to tee up alongside England’s Casey, who returns to The European Tour after wintering in his American base.
Also contesting the TCL Classic is Welshman Ian Woosnam, Europe’s Captain in 2006 when they set out to win The Ryder Cup for a record third time in succession. Other Ryder Cup players in the field are Dane Thomas Björn, Paul Broadhurst and Scot Andrew Coltart.
China has already hosted the Volvo China Open and the Omega Hong Kong Open on The 2005 European Tour International Schedule, won by Stephen Dodd of Wales and Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain respectively, while the BMW Asian Open and the Johnnie Walker Classic will also be played in China during the next six weeks.
Keith Waters, The European Tour’s Director of International Policy, said: “These are exciting times for golf in China, and in particular the Sanya Region of the country. Our Members – the players – are looking forward enormously to visiting this wonderful Region for this tournament.
“We thank TCL for their title sponsorship of the TCL Classic. We at The European Tour are very excited that such a prominent blue-chip company are supporting the growth of golf in China. Our thanks also to the Sanya Region for their significant support.”
The par 72, 7,116 yard Yalong Bay Golf Club offers an invigorating challenge to The European Tour golfers. Constructed in China’s holiday paradise, Hainan Island, by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, it was opened for business just five years ago.
Hainan Island is located on the southernmost tip of mainland China. The Chinese government recently designated the tropical island a special tourism zone with the aim of competing against the likes of Bali and Phuket.
Conditions can be windy and the course boasts numerous water hazards including a 120,000sq metre lake to concentrate minds. In total there are 95 bunkers while the greens are tricky and undulating and can be extremely quick.
The venue has staged the Asian Tour’s Sanya Open for the last two years and in 2004, Australian Terry Pilkadaris won after a play-off with American Clay Devers, both finishing on 18 under par 270.
