England’s Paul Casey will get the 2009 Volvo World Match Play underway at 8.15 am on Thursday when, as top seed, he takes on Australian Scott Strange in the opening match at Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Spain.
Casey, winner of the 2006 World Match Play Championship and World Number Four, takes on this year’s Volvo China Open Champion and World Number 168, Strange, in the opening tie in the new-look championship.
This is the 45th edition of the World Match Play Championship and will be Volvo’s first time as Championship partners with IMG, having hosted the 21st and final Volvo Masters at Club de Golf Valderrama in 2008. The Finca Cortesín event is Volvo’s 120th title sponsorship in professional golf.
The Championship is being played in Spain for the first time in its history - moving from Wentworth Club - as 16 of the world’s best players go head-to-head in classic match play golf over the magnificent 7,439-yard course designed by Cabell B Robinson.
The field has been split into four sections for the group stage – with Casey leading the Seve Ballesteros – Group A, that also includes Retief Goosen, Anthony Kim and Strange.
Sergio Garcia is top seed in the Mark McCormack – Group B and will play Martin Kaymer, Robert Allenby and Oliver Wilson over the first two days.
The Gustaf Larson – Group C is headed by Henrik Stenson with Rory McIlroy, Angel Cabrera and Simon Dyson completing the group.
Portugal Masters Champion, Lee Westwood is the top seed in the Assar Gabrielsson – Group D, and he will play against Camilo Villegas, Ross Fisher and Jeev Milkha Singh in the round robin format.
The winner of each group will qualify for the semi-finals which, along with the final, will be played over 36 holes head-to head match play golf, considered by many to be the purest form of the Royal and Ancient game.
Click here for the full draw for the Group Stage Matches
