Major champion YE Yang and four of the brightest young up and coming stars of the European Tour have confirmed their participation at the second edition of the Shenzhen International to be played from 21-24 April at Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club.
South Korean Yang, who held off the charge of Tiger Woods to claim the 2009 US PGA Championship at Hazeltine in dramatic style, has a brilliant record of competing in China, having won the HSBC Champions in 2007 and the Volvo China Open in 2010.
"I'm really looking forward to returning to play in the Shenzhen International," said the 44 year old, whose tie for fourth in the event last year was his best of the season. "Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club is a course that fits my eye, so hopefully I can take advantage of that and be up on the leader board on Sunday afternoon."
The European quartet is led by two players who have also proved their ability to perform in the world's most populous country – Alexander Levy of France and Sweden's Kristoffer Broberg. Levy captured the Volvo China Open in 2014, while Broberg memorably recorded his maiden European Tour win at last year's BMW Masters in Shanghai after a play-off with American Patrick Reed.
"I always enjoy playing in China, which was the site of my breakthrough victory on the European Tour two years ago," said the 25 year old, who finished in a tie for 25th at the Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club last year. "The Shenzhen International is a young tournament but it has established itself very quickly, which is evident by the quality of players it has attracted. I'm hoping the Chinese fans can inspire me to another win on Chinese soil."
Broberg found himself in the title hunt at the Shenzhen International in 2015 after producing a stellar 67 in the third round. A level-par 72 on Sunday, however, dented the 30 year old’s hopes, but the Swede is expecting his enjoyment of playing in front of the Chinese galleries will stand him in good stead.
"It's going to be great to be back in front of the Chinese fans at Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club, which is a course I really enjoy. I was well placed after three days last year and had a chance of winning the tournament with a low round on Sunday. Unfortunately that didn't materialize, but I'm confident of putting myself in a good position again," said Broberg, who wound up finishing in a tie for 22nd.
One of the standout performances of 2015 was that of Paul Dunne at The Open Championship at St Andrews, widely acknowledged as the Home of Golf. The young Irishman became the first amateur since 1927 to lead The Open after three rounds before he fell back into the pack on the final day. Dunne made the switch to the professional ranks late last year and immediately made an impact, comfortably earning his European Tour card with a nerveless performance at Qualifying School. The Shenzhen International will be the first time Dunne has played competitively in China, something he is relishing.
"The growth of the game in Asia and in China particularly has been astonishing and I can't wait to experience it for myself," said the 23 year old. "I've heard a lot of great things about the Shenzhen International so it's going to be an exciting week."
Another player looking to the Shenzhen International to record his breakthrough on the European Tour is Ricardo Gouveia. The Portuguese enjoyed a stellar season on the Challenge Tour last year to top the rankings following two wins. With players of the calibre of Bubba Watson and Miguel Angel Jimenez also lining up at Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club, Gouveia is well aware of the step up in class that the tournament provides.
"Playing against the best players in the biggest events is what every professional wants to do, and I am no different," said the 24 year old, who will be making his Shenzhen International debut. "I have played in China before and I enjoy it – experiencing new cultures is one of the great benefits of being on tour, so to perform well in Shenzhen would be special."
