Weekly previews

The start of Ryder Cup qualification begins at the Omega European Masters this weeks while the FedEx Cup is down to 70 players chasing the $10 million prize.

CRANS MONTANA, SWITZERLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Bradley Dredge of Wales hits his second shot on the 17th hole during the final round of the Omega European Masters at Crans-Sur-Sierre Golf Club on September 10, 2006 in Crans Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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Tournament: Omega European Masters

Course: Crans-sur-Sierre Crans Montana, Switzerland

Prize fund: ?2,000,000

Course details: Par 71, 6,857 yards. Opened in 1908, originally designed by Freemnte and Gedge and then redesigned by M Nicholson in 1929 and then Seve Ballesteros in 1999. At this altitude the ball travels 10% further and so the course does not play its full yardage. There are severe undulations on many holes helping to provide stunning views up to the Pleine Mourt Glacier and across the mountain ranges and valley below.

The low-down: There is an added interest to this fantastic tournament in the Aps because European qualifying for the Ryder Cup begins this week. The year long process ends at Gleneagles next year and until the then the top Europeans will battle it out for one of the ten automatic spots in Nick Faldo?s side. Five players from last year?s team will compete this week, they are Paul Casey, David Howell, Lee Westwood, Robert Karlsson and Darren Clarke. Bradley Dredge will defend his title and is among 10 previous winners in the field. Eduardo Romero will make his 20th appearance in the event which he has won twice. Crans-sur-Sierre is the most used venue for a regular European Tour event, this is the 61st time the Tournament has been held here.

The contenders: Eduardo Romero, Robert Karlsson, Paul Casey

Tournament: BMW Championship

Course: Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Course No. 4, Dubsdread

Prize fund: $7,000,000

Course details: Par 71, 7,326 yards. Ranked 60th in Golf Digest?s Top 100, Cog Hill?s Course No.4 is a classic tree-lined design with 110 bunkers and water coming into play on 6 holes.

The low-down: After a thrilling finish to last weeks event the FedEx Cup looses 50 players as the PGA Tour moves on to the BMW Championship at Cog Hill. With only 70 players remaining there is no halfway cut this week as players battle it out for a place in the top 30 to progress into the Tour Championship next week. Tiger Woods has a superb record in this event with three wins and of course will begin as a huge favorite. Phil Mickelson will not compete after last weeks win, he wants to spend some time with his family and stated that some requests to the PGA Tour over the FedEx Cup have been ignored. Padraig Harrington has also withdrawn due to fatigue. Ernie Els returns after taking last week off to be with his family.

The contenders: Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els

Paul O'Hagan
Paul joined Golf Monthly in 2006 in a junior role and has since worked as senior staff writer and now as technical editor. He writes equipment and instruction content and tests the vast majority of golf clubs that are introduced every year.
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