Preview: Volvo China Open

After one of the most exciting Masters in recent history, the European Tour travels to Beijing this week for the sixth running of the Volvo China Open. Ireland’s Damien McGrane defends the title.

Damien McGrane
Fergus Bisset
By
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Lowdown: Damien McGrane produced one of the rounds of the season to win last year’s Volvo China Open at the Beijing CBD International GC. The Irishman battled through horrific conditions to record a closing 73 when the majority of the field were struggling to break 80. He won the event by nine clear shots. Although many of the top Europeans will remain in the US, or are taking a week off following the Masters, McGrane will be back to defend his title this time round. He’ll face stiff competition from a field that includes Colin Montgomerie, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Nick Dougherty. The course at Beijing CBD International was designed by IMG Golf Design and opened for play in 2005. It’s a relatively flat layout with a number of tree-lined holes and an abundance of water to negotiate. There’s an added bonus for the winner this week. The man who takes the title will gain an invitation to the Volvo World Matchplay to be held in Spain later this year. That means a guaranteed payout of $155,000.

Venue: Beijing CBD International GC, Beijing, China Date: April 16-19 Course stats: par 72, 7,321 yards Purse: €1,655,000 Winner: €275,813 Defending champion: Damien McGrane (-10)

TV coverage: Friday 17th – Live on Sky Sports 2 from 6am Saturday 18th - Live on Sky Sports 2 from 6am Sunday 19th - Live on Sky Sports 2 from 6am Player watch: Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano – The Spaniard lost out in a playoff for the Open de Andalucia and will be looking to go one better this week. Liang Wen-chong – China’s most successful golf professional will carry the weight of his country’s expectations this week. He’d love to win on home soil. Nick Dougherty – The Englishman hasn’t enjoyed the greatest season so far in 2009. He’ll be hoping to kick-start his year with victory here.

Key hole: 18th – A 564 yard par-5 that’ll be reachable in two depending on the conditions. Water lurks all up the right hand side of the hole and will be a factor for both drive and approach. Skills required: Staying dry. There are only two holes on the entire course where water doesn’t come into play. The winner will adopt a tactical approach to stay out of the H2O.

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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