Prize money for the 2005 Volvo Masters will increase by €250,000 to a record €4,000,000 when the 18th edition of the season-ending tournament takes place at Club de Golf Valderrama, Costa del Sol, Spain, from October 27-30.
Defending champion, Ian Poulter of England, will be among a maximum field of 60 seeking the winner’’s cheque for €666,660 at Valderrama as the race to become Europe’’s Number One reaches a dramatic climax at Valderrama.
With over €17,000,000 in official prize money still at stake between this week’’s dunhill links championship and the Volvo Masters, two issues have to be resolved, namely the winner of this season’’s Vardon Trophy and the final composition of the field to contest the Volvo Masters.
Valderrama has witnessed many exciting finales since 1988, and this year promises to deliver another rousing finish to a memorable year. Currently, New Zealand’’s Michael Campbell heads The European Tour Order of Merit with €2,398,201 as he seeks the Vardon Trophy for the first time.
However, lying just €136,990 behind the US Open Champion is South Africa’’s Retief Goosen, who is bidding to become European Number One for the third time following his back to back successes in 2000 and 2001.
Argentina’’s Angel Cabrera, who won the BMW Championship in such dynamic fashion back in May, sits in third place with earnings of €1,770,169 and cannot be discounted going into a period of high profile tournaments with just over €2,750,000 in first place money on offer. On his heels are three other golfers who have accrued more than €1,500,000, namely Scotland’’s Colin Montgomerie, David Howell of England, Ireland’’s Paul McGinley and Denmark’’s Thomas Björn.
The race to become part of the 60-strong field also promises to be fiercely contested. Last year, the 60th and final place was secured by Welshman Stephen Dodd, who went on to finish tied for 19th place then, three weeks later, captured his first European Tour title, the Volvo China Open.
Currently, England’’s Jonathan Lomas lies in 60th position – one lower than the placing which earned him entry into the 2004 Volvo Masters – with no fewer than six European Tour champions, Thomas Levet of France, Pierre Fulke of Sweden, Anthony Wall of England, South African Charl Schwartzel, Scotland’’s Stephen Gallacher and Robert Karlsson of Sweden occupying positions 61 to 66.
Commenting on the closeness of the struggle for supremacy, Mel Pyatt President & CEO of Volvo Event Management commented: “We are delighted that it looks as if once again the Volvo Masters will be the deciding tournament for the Order of Merit Title, a scenario we hoped for when first creating the event back in 1988.
“A final day battle between the leading contenders would also be a fitting way to celebrate what will be Volvo’’s 100th professional tournament sponsorship and the 58th European Tour title sponsorship since 1988. The ‘cornerstone’’ partnership between Volvo and The European Tour during this time, has played a significant part in the growth success of European professional golf and is reflected in the ever-growing quality of the field that qualifies for the Volvo Masters each year.”
George O’’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “Since 1988, the Volvo Masters has been the ideal platform to underscore the extraordinary talents of the leading players on The European Tour Order of Merit at the conclusion of another season on our International Schedule.
“We are delighted that the prize fund has increased to a new record level of €4,000,000 and that once again, the top 60 players on the Order of Merit will qualify to play, including the defending champion Ian Poulter, at Valderrama, a golf course recognised as one of the best in Europe and which continues to thrive under the strong leadership of Don Jaime Ortiz Patiño.”
