The field for the 2004 HSBC World Match Play Championship has increased to 16 players from the 12 of previous years. In addition to the defending champion and World Number One, qualification is now based on performances in golf’’s four Majors, four principal European Tour events plus the leading two European Tour players, not otherwise qualified, from the Volvo Order of Merit after The Heritage.
The four principle European Tour Tournaments, group together as the HSBC European Tournaments Ranking, are the Volvo PGA Championship, this week’’s Smurfit European Open, the Omega European Masters and The Heritage. The two European Tour Players accumulating the most World Ranking Points from these four tournaments, who have not otherwise qualified, will gain entry into the HSBC World Match Play Championship which is now officially sanctioned by The European Tour and earning World Ranking Points.
The current HSBC European Tournaments Ranking going into the SMURFIT EUROPEAN OPEN is:
Ranking Player Country
1. Scott Drummond Sco 32.00
2. Angel Cabrera Arg 19.20
3. Joakim Haeggman Swe 12.80
4= Nick Faldo Eng 7.90
4= Anders Hansen Den 7.90
4= Darren Clarke N Ire 7.90
7 Ernie Els SA 5.67
8 Darren Fichardt SA 4.80
8= Thomas Levet Fr 4.80
8= Miguel Angel Jimenez Sp 4.80
Currently qualified for the 2004 HSBC World Match Play Championship with a first prize of £1 million, the largest in world golf are:
Defending Champion - Ernie Els
World No. 1 - Tiger Woods
US Masters Champion - Phil Mickleson
US Open Champion - Retief Goosen
