Darren Clarke, Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington have given the 2012 Volvo Golf Champions a ‘major boost’ after confirming that they, along with 11-time European Tour champion Robert Karlsson, will play in the second edition of the elite event, which will be held at The Links at Fancourt from January 19-22.
The trio join a galaxy of stars including their fellow Major winners Retief Goosen, Paul Lawrie, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, plus European Tour champions Thomas Björn, Paul Casey, Nicolas Colsaerts, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Tom Lewis, Matteo Manassero, Colin Montgomerie and Alexander Noren in competing for the €350,000 first prize and an overall prize fund of €2million.
Els has 68 professional victories to his name including three Majors titles and, as well as being a home favourite, is one of golf’s most popular stars. He won the South African Open at the start of The 2011 European Tour International Schedule and is hoping to get his 2012 campaign underway in similar vein with victory at the Volvo Golf Champions.
He said: “Obviously I love playing in South Africa and have won five of my European Tour titles there. I have great memories of playing at the Links at Fancourt, both in professional events and when on holiday there, and I’m looking forward to trying to win The European Tour’s first true ‘tournament of champions’.
“South African golf is in great shape at the moment, which is apparent by the number of South Africans in the field. Dr. Hasso Plattner’s vision in creating The Links at Fancourt will provide the perfect stage to showcase the wonderful golf opportunities offered in South Africa.”
Winner of a Volvo S60 in last year’s Volvo Golf Champions Pro-Am event, Darren Clarke secured his place at this year’s event by winning the Iberdrola Open in May, two months before becoming one of the most universally well-received winners of The Open Championship when he triumphed at Royal St Georges.
He said: “I had an amazing year, and would never have dreamt I would be teeing off at the Volvo Golf Champions as the reigning Open Champion. It feels pretty special to hear it announced on the first tee, I can tell you. Since winning I have done a lot of celebrating and enjoyed every minute, but over the short winter break I have been working hard to get my game in shape for the 2012 season. I am looking for a really strong start at the Volvo Golf Champions.”
Three-time Major winner Harrington is also looking forward to a fresh start in 2012, with a recent return to form boding well for the Dubliner.
He said: “I took a bit of a break after a pretty gruelling 2011 schedule and, after a relaxing family holiday, I’ve been hard at work getting ready for the 2012 season. I’m itching to see if all the work has paid off, and looking forward to playing in this new elite event.
“Towards the end of last year, I felt I was regaining my consistency and was feeling ever more comfortable with my game. Hopefully it will all come together at the Volvo Golf Champions as it is certainly a title I would love to add to my CV, and would enable me to get the season off to a good start.”
Swede Karlsson, winner of the 2010 Dubai World Championship, qualifies as a member of the elite group of players – which includes Goosen, Jiménez and Montgomerie – who have more than ten career wins on The European Tour.
He said: “I was consistent last year, but I didn’t post any wins which was frustrating, and it is a trend I’m definitely hoping to change this year. I’m delighted to have qualified for this prestigious event, having finished fifth last year. I like the format whereby Volvo invite their amateur winners to play with us on one of the tournament days, and think it’s a great place to start my 2012 campaign.”
The Volvo Golf Champions is an exclusive, limited field event with no halfway cut, open exclusively to European Tour players who have won an event on the previous year’s Schedule, the only exception being current Members with more than ten European Tour victories. An unprecedented gathering of global golfing talent is expected to line up at the world-acclaimed Links at Fancourt, recently voted number one course in South Africa and originally designed by South African golf legend Gary Player.
For full eligibility criteria and more information, please clickhere
