Genworth Stats Pack - Preview Report

Genworth Ambassador Peter Hanson arrives to compete in this week’s BMW Masters by SRE Group as the defending champion. During that one shot victory twelve months ago, the 36 year old Swedish golfer performed superbly on the greens, ranking 1st, 2nd and 2nd for the three official Genworth Putting Statistics categories - on his way to accumulating 28 birdies over that week (four more than any other player). The six-time European Tour winner has not played on the big stage for a couple of months now so any ring rust will need to be shaken off quickly if he is to retain his title (with such a star studded field on show).

Henrik Stenson arrives to compete in this event off the back of two wins, two runner-up finishes and two third place finishes from his last eight global starts. This recent run of astonishing form has bolted the 37 year old Swedish golfer up into 4th position on the Official World Golf Rankings, with every chance of topping the end of season money lists on both sides of the Atlantic. Having finished 26th over this Lake Malaren course last year (a week in which he ranked 10th for the Genworth Greens in Regulation statistic and 1st for Par 5’s in 2), the seven-time European Tour winner has a great chance of taking centre stage yet again.

Rory McIlroy arrives to compete in this event off the back of a 2nd place finish in Korea last week and also as the runner-up to Hanson here twelve months ago. During that titanic battle, the 24 year old talent from Northern Ireland produced very strong Genworth Statistics across the board, driving the ball miles, hitting more than 80% of the Greens in Regulation and chipping and putting sublimely (it was a time when Rory sat imperious at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings). With huge expectations and pressures both on and off the course, Lake Malaren may well be the perfect set-up to enable him to return to winning ways.

Martin Kaymer arrives to compete in this event with his game moving in the right direction - slowly but surely - after a bit of a slump over the last couple of seasons (following the incredible form of 2010 / 2011 that saw him reach World Number one). The 28 year old German golfer and ten-time European Tour winner will surely draw further encouragement by looking at his long game Genworth Statistics on this course twelve months ago, when he ranked 1st for Driving Accuracy, 17th for Driving Distance and 5th for Greens in Regulation. With such an abundance of Ryder Cup points on offer during The Final Series events, it is time for the European Tour’s big guns to step-up.

Ian Poulter arrives to compete in this event off the back of a five week break from tournament golf, having finished 4th here last year. It was the first of a two week stretch in China that saw the 37 year old English golfer at the top of his game, ranking 1st for the Genworth Greens in Regulation statistic in both events (on his way to accumulating 1 eagle and 42 birdies against just 7 bogeys over the eight rounds period). The twelve-time European Tour winner is still looking for his first win of 2013, so it will be interesting to see if he can repeat those same heroics (especially now Ryder Cup qualification is under way).

Ross Fisher arrives to compete in this event off the back of four top ten finishes in his last five starts (including a runner-up in Australia last week where he ranked 2nd for Greens in Regulation), so confidence should be high. Looking at his Genworth Statistics over this Lake Malaren course twelve months ago, the 32 year old English golfer drove the ball long and hit plenty of Greens in Regulation, plus he scrambled well and ranked 1st for Par 3 Scoring with a 2.88 average. Look for the four-time European Tour winner to go well once again on a course that should suit his game.

Recently married Graeme McDowell arrives to compete in this event with three fantastic global victories already under his belt this year, but with also what must be said the most peculiar middle of the year pattern of form ever recorded (CUT / WIN / CUT / WIN / CUT / CUT / CUT / WIN from late April to early July). Looking at his Genworth Statistics during his 11th place finish here last year, the 34 year old golfer from Northern Ireland was steady from tee to green, but he really excelled with the short stick plus he led the Par 5 Scoring with a 4.13 average (highlighting the fact that you do not need to be the longest driver of the ball to conquer the longest holes).

Luke Donald arrives this week after a short spell away from competitive golf, so he should be refreshed and raring to improve on his third place finish here last year. Looking at his Genworth Statistics for that week, the 35 year old English golfer produced some exceptional figures on and around the greens, ranking near perfect in each of the short game categories (plus he was another average length hitter to excel on the Par 5’s). Luke has enjoyed some good finishes this season but he is one of the big names who is yet to record a victory on the global stage.

Lee Westwood arrives as another one of the marquee names who is yet to record a victory in 2013, so he will no doubt also be hungry for BMW Masters by SRE Group success this week. Looking at his Genworth Statistics during his 14th place finish last year, the 40 year old English golfer performed steadily without firing on all cylinders (the same sort of patterns that are being produced this season - steady but not at his very best). With so many Ryder Cup qualification points on offer over the coming weeks, let’s hope Lee can produce some of the sparkling golf that has seen him to twenty-two European Tour victories over his career to date.

Wen-chong Liang arrives to compete this week in terrific form, with finishes of 4th / 4th / 2nd / 11th from his last four starts. He is currently the highest ranked Chinese player on the Official World Golf Rankings (145th) as well as their best finisher over this Lake Malaren course last year (20th). Looking at his Genworth Statistics for that week, the 35 year old Chinese golfer performed consistently in most departments of the game, scoring steadily across the different hole types (Par 3’s / Par 4’s / Par 5’s). He will no doubt be looking for another big finish come Sunday.