The European Tour makes its first stop of the season on the Chinese mainland this week for the Volvo China Open at the Gary Player designed Suzhou Jinji Lake Golf Club in Suzhou, on the banks of the Yangtze River in Eastern China. ETW will be on the range with a full preview on the eve of a tournament which has been growing in stature since it first became a part of the schedule in 2005.
In last year’s event at Beijing CBD International Golf Club, Australia’s Scott Strange came from deep in the chasing pack to add the Volvo China Open to his 2008 Celtic Manor Wales Open title. ETW talks to the defending champion about his victorious week in Beijing.
Our first review comes from the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, and ETW will bring you the best of the action from the first major of the season.
The Masters witnessed one of the biggest media events of recent times as Tiger Woods returned to action after a five month break from the game. ETW looks at the impact of Tiger’s return, from the viewpoint of the players, the fans, and the golfing media.
One of the traditions that helps create the unique atmosphere at the Masters is the caddies in their distinctive white overalls. The role of the bagman is particularly important at a venue where experience and local knowledge have proved to be a key to success. In a special feature, ETW brings you an insight into life as one of Augusta’s caddies.
Our second review comes from the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal and ETW will bring you the best of the action from the mountainous Porto Santo Golfe Club.
Whilst in Porto Santo, we catch up with Portugal’s Jose-Filipe Lima, a European Tour winner six years ago he has returned to the Main Tour after a successful season on the Challenge circuit last year. Having already won the Saint-Omer Open in France, the country of his birth, he tells ETW how much he would love to win in his parents’ homeland.
Together with all of the latest news and statistics from the Tour, this completes another edition of European Tour Weekly.
