The 2010 Volvo China Open will embrace its fifth venue in its seven year existence on The European Tour when it is staged at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club in Suzhou in April. Last year Australian Scott Strange claimed the spoils at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club but in a different manner to his previous triumphs.
In his Asian Tour victories in the Philippines and Myanmar and also in his emotional triumph in the 2008 Celtic Manor Wales Open – a victory achieved a week before he lost his sister Natalie to cancer –Strange had always led from the front in the final round. Indeed, in Myanmar and Wales he won wire-to-wire. In the 2009 Volvo China Open, however, he came from behind on the last day to succeed.
Going into Sunday’s action deep in the chasing pack, Strange was not amongst the favourites, but changed all that with a superb closing four under par 68 which saw him set the clubhouse target of eight under par 280.
With no-one making a challenge it was left to Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño to try and match Strange’s tally. The Spaniard needed an eagle three at the final hole to do so but could only make birdie four.
