The qualification criteria for the Volvo Masters Andalucia at Club de Golf Valderrama will, in future, reflect the enduring significance of the Volvo Order of Merit on The European Tour International Schedule.
Beginning with the 2003 edition of the season-ending Championship from October 30 - November 2, the field will consist of a maximum of 60 players drawn exclusively from positions one to 60 on the Volvo Order of Merit following the Telefonica Open de Madrid, which concludes on Sunday, October 26.
This change in qualification places the emphasis firmly on current form, focusing on the performances of European Tour Members in the previous 44 Volvo Order of Merit tournaments leading up to the Volvo Masters Andalucia.
Past Champions and Category One players will no longer have automatic exemption, in accordance with the wishes of The European Tour Members to base qualification on achievement over the immediate playing season. A player outside of the top 60 will not be eligible should anyone who qualifies not be able to compete.
Mel Pyatt, President and CEO of Volvo Event Management, and the man who conceived the Volvo Masters Andalucia back in 1987, said: "I am personally delighted with the changes, which place an even greater focus on the quality of the field, something that has always been our aim.
"With its unique position as the Grand Finale of The European Tour International Schedule and, with such a major prize fund, the players have always recognised the importance of the Volvo Masters Andalucia in deciding not just the final positions on the Volvo Order of Merit but, more often than not, the overall winner.
"Additionally, with the valued and ongoing support we receive from the Junta de Andalucia, together with our return to Valderrama in 2002, the Volvo Masters Andalucia is now in the position to deliver new standards of quality, excitement and enjoyment to an ever-increasing number of spectators and global television audience."
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: "The Volvo Order of Merit has, since 1988, been an integral and focal part of the season on The European Tour International Schedule, determining the Number One player each year and the final positions.
"The significance of being Number One on the Volvo Order of Merit is constantly being emphasised by the players who have finished in that position and the new changes to the qualification procedure for the Volvo Masters Andalucia re-affirms the weight of importance placed on finishing in the top 60."
Antonio Ortega, Consejero de la Junta de Andalucia also fully supported the changes. "The Ministry of Tourism and sport is very proud that the Volvo Masters Andalucia takes place at Valderrama, one of our most prestigious venues and we are delighted that these changes will add more quality, prestige and subsequent media coverage to the tournament.
"As a result, and with the inclusion of Andalucia in the title of the event, it ensures that our message that Andalucia is the 'land of sport' and that we are continuously improving the quality of our facilities and services, will attract visitors from even further afield."
