Twelve months ago Ian Woosnam created golfing history when, at the age of 43, he became the oldest winner in the history of the Cisco World Match Play Championship after his superb 2 and 1 victory over Padraig Harrington in the 36 hole final.
Both men return to Wentworth Club this week, Woosnam eager to repeat his triumph while Harrington, still buoyed by his victory a fortnight ago in the dunhill links championship at St Andrews, will be keen to go one better.
One thing is certain, if the golf produced throughout the four days of competition gets close to the level of excellence and excitement provided by the two finalists last year, it will prove to be a memorable experience for the huge crowds which always flock to the famous West Course.
Woosnam and Harrington traded birdies all day in true match play tradition, the Welshman eventually prevailing thanks to a vintage display of golf, reminiscent of his halcyon days in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, and one made even greater considering the back injury he had been nursing since the beginning of the week.
Both men, of course, were involved in Europe's thrilling win in The 34th Ryder Cup Matches, Harrington on the course and Woosnam in the role of Vice Captain, and two more of the Irishman's team-mates from that momentous week at The De Vere Belfry, Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomerie will also be in action.
For Garcia, it will be his third appearance in the event, while Montgomerie lines up for the 11th time, the highlight for the Scot coming in 1999 when he took the title with a 3 and 2 win over Mark O'Meara.
Other previous Champions on show are triple winner Ernie Els, double winner Nick Faldo and the 1997 winner Vijay Singh, who denied Els a fourth consecutive victory with his last green success five years ago.
Also in action in the star-studded field are European Tour representatives and debutants Michael Campbell and Justin Rose, alongside the current leader of the Volvo Order of Merit, Retief Goosen, who will play for the fourth time.
Completing the line-up are US PGA Tour players Fred Funk and Mike Weir, both of whom will be sampling the special Cisco World Match Play atmosphere for the first time.
