European Tour Members Paul Casey, Retief Goosen, Camilo Villegas and Robert Allenby have confirmed they will play in the Volvo World Match Play Championship after finishing as the highest ranked available players from their regions - Europe, Africa and Middle East, South America and Australasia respectively.
The players have qualified via the new qualifying criteria, part of Volvo’s innovative ‘new look’ match play.
Casey, World Number Three and winner of the 2006 World Match Play Championship at Wentworth Club, has not played since retiring from the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational last month with a rib injury, but is relishing returning to action in time to be in the 16-man field at Finca Cortesin Golf Resort from October 29 to November 1.
“I thoroughly enjoy match play and winning in 2006 was definitely one of my career highlights so I am delighted to qualify for this year’s Volvo World Match Play Championship,” said Casey.
“One thing I noticed when I won the World Match Play was the number of great players who made it their business to win the title at least twice. Seve Ballesteros, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo have all got their name on the Champions roster at least a couple of times so I will definitely be hoping to emulate them by winning again this year.
“The Volvo World Match Play Championship is shaping up to have a great field and it will be a huge boost to my confidence as well as my Race to Dubai Rankings to put in a strong performance.”
Two time US Open Champion Goosen from South Africa, the leading player on the Official World Golf Ranking from Africa and Middle East at the cut-off point, said: “I have been following my position on the qualification table over the past few months and have been very aware of what I needed to do to hang on to my place. I am delighted to have made it into this prestigious tournament and am really looking forward to playing in the Volvo World Match Play Championship.
“I am intrigued to play on the Finca Cortesin course and I think the new ‘champions league-style’ format will make for a really exciting inaugural event in Spain.”
Colombian Villegas, who qualified as the leading South American player on the OWGR, will make his first appearance in a World Match Play Championship.
He said: “I really enjoy the cut and thrust of match play. It is very important to have secured a place in the Volvo World Match Play Championship as it is a limited field and very close the conclusion of The Race to Dubai so I think the winner there will have a great advantage going into the Dubai World Championship.
“It would be great if I get to play against my good friend Sergio Garcia – I think we would have a very exciting match though I’m not sure I will have too many supporters in the gallery!”
Australian Allenby, World Number 30, added: "I am thrilled to have qualified for the Volvo World Match Play Championship. It’s a world class event with a terrific heritage and one I'd love to win. I am a big fan of match play so with this and the upcoming Presidents Cup, I'm really looking forward to the next couple of months."
The Championship is being held at an exciting new venue, Finca Cortesin Golf Resort, and the field will compete in a round robin group format until the semi-final stage as opposed to the traditional knock-out format of the previous 44 editions of the tournament.
Spaniard Garcia remains determined to secure his place and has set his sights on qualifying through his world ranking on September 28.
“As I have said before, I am very keen to win my place in the draw,” he said. “I am hoping I will have a few good weeks and make it into the field on my world ranking position. I thoroughly enjoy match play and the group format makes the tournament unique and of course, I am always proud to play in front of my home fans. ”
The other two continental qualifiers will be announced shortly. Impressive finishes at the US PGA Championship from Europeans Lee Westwood and Rory McIllroy at tied third and Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson finishing joint sixth has strengthened their claims for a place in the line-up via their positions both on the Official World Ranking and The Race to Dubai Rankings. The cut-off for the leading four players not otherwise qualified on the World Rankings is September 28, and for The Race to Dubai it is October 5.
With a total prize fund of €3.25million and a first prize of €750,000, a place in the Volvo World Match Play Championship could significantly improve a player’s position on The Race to Dubai.
The 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 to the 7,439-yard course at Finca Cortesin, 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 in traditional match play golf.
For further information please contact:
IMG: Michele Mair: + 44 2082335177
or via emailmichele.mair@imgworld.com
María Acacia López Bachiller:mariacacia@telefonica.net
Volvo Event Management: Monique Kuse + 32 2 4825687
or via emailmonique.kuse@volvo.com
