Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Marin Kaymer are the latest European Tour stars to commit to the 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin from October 29 to November 1.
Ranked sixth, eighth, 11th and 13th in the world respectively they qualify as the highest ranked available players not otherwise qualified on the latest Official World Golf Ranking. Seven of the 11 players confirmed are ranked in the world’s top 20 and the field looks sure to be the strongest ever with many exciting match-ups as the world’s best golfers go head to head in the new look Volvo World Match Play Championship.
World Number Six Stenson, who reached the semi-final of the 2007 World Match Play Championship said: “I am really looking forward to it. It is a tournament with a great history and lots of fantastic champions and it is certainly a title I would love to get my hands on. I have a good record in match play and I really enjoy the format so qualifying was definitely on my agenda this year as we don’t get too many opportunities to play this format during the season.”
Garcia said: “I am delighted to have formally qualified for the first Volvo World Match Play to be held in Spain and I am really looking forward to playing in front of my home crowds. It is going to be an exciting few weeks for me playing at home in Spain. As well as playing in the Madrid Masters, I am hoping to defend my title at the Castello Masters and then try to go on to win the inaugural Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin.
“I think it will be fascinating for the spectators to be able to go and watch two such different events. Match play offers such a different spectacle and atmosphere for the fans and I think it is great for Spanish golf to be welcoming such a prestigious event.”
Westwood, the World Match Play Champion in 2000 when he beat Colin Montgomerie at the 38th hole in a thrilling final, and whose stellar match play talents have contributed so much to the European Ryder Cup Team in recent years is a fantastic addition to line-up.
Kaymer, currently leading The Race to Dubai Rankings after back to back wins at the Open de France ALSTOM and The Barclay’s Scottish Open, is battling to recover from injury, said: “It is great to have made it into this limited field event and I will be working hard on my fitness and game over the next month to ensure I am ready to play. This event has an amazing list of past champions and is definitely a title I want to win. Also the freedom that the match play format offers should suit me well after having had this time off as I won’t have to worry about the odd loose shot. I have heard that Finca Cortesin is an amazing venue and I am looking forward to the week.”
There are only five places left to confirm in the field and this week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship presents the last chance for the likes of Rory McIlroy, Ross Fisher, Angel Cabrera, Oliver Wilson and Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez Castaño to secure their places. The five highest ranked players on Monday October 5 on The Race to Dubai Rankings not otherwise qualified will complete the 16-man line-up and the right to compete for the €3.25 million prize fund and a first prize of €750,000.
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 will be held 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 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.
