Ahead of the Shenzhen International – the first of three events to be held in China in The 2016 Race to Dubai – europeantour.com provides everything you need to know about the tournament in this quick-fire guide.
REWIND
Twelve months ago,Kiradech Aphibarnrat claimed an emotional victory in the inaugural Shenzhen International as the larger than life Thai pipped Chinese prospectLi Haotong to the post following a dramatic play-off at Genzon Golf Club.
Two behind Li with two holes to play, Aphibarnrat sensationally eagled the 17th to pull level before defeating the then 19 year old with a birdie at the first additional hole to spark scenes of great celebration in front of a stunned home crowd.
Aphibarnrat, who went on to win again later in the year at the Paul Lawrie Match Play in Scotland, was visibly moved on the 18th green after a testing period in which he struggled with equipment changes and the death of his coach, Natpasit Chokthanasart, in December 2013.
BITE-SIZED HISTORY
· In 2015, the Shenzhen International became the eighth different official European Tour event to be staged in China
· This week’s event will be the 53rd European Tour tournament to be held on Chinese soil
· The first European Tour event held in China was the UBS Hong Kong Open in December 2001, when José María Olazábal snatched a one-shot triumph over Henrik Bjornstad with future World Number One Adam Scott a further shot back
· There have also been four World Cup of Golf events staged in China
THE TOP TEN SHOTS IN CHINA
There have been a few crackers over the years, starting with a beauty from last year’s Shenzhen International…
THE FIELD
Headlining the field this week is two-time Masters winnerBubba Watson, who is joined at Genzon GC by two of the European Tour’s biggest characters in Spain’sMiguel Angel Jiménezand France’sVictor Dubuisson,with both Europeans set to make their Shenzhen International debuts.
Meanwhile, rising starLi is back looking to go one better than his runner-up finish one year ago.
After securing a Guinness World Records title with three French team-mates last week in Spain,Alexander Levy, who triumphed in the 2014 Volvo China Open – held at Genzon GC – returns to a happy hunting ground along with the rest of his record-breaking squad.
Last year’s BMW Masters winnerKristoffer Broberg is also in China this week along with Major winnerYE Yang and former European Number OneRobert Karlsson.
THE COURSE
The A Course atGenzon Golf Clubprovides a lengthy, beastly test at just under 7,200 yards. Opened in 1994 and re-modelled in 2007 by Neil Haworth, the layout features a blend of undulations, tree-lined fairways, exposed areas and a lot of hazards – not least the mammoth Dragon Lake.
After hosting the Volvo China Open two years ago, Genzon GC is the first Chinese course to host two different European Tour events.
With plenty of rain in the build-up to the tournament, the rough is expected to be especially penal this week – which might not be the news the European Tour members will be wanting to hear after a hugely demanding test of golf last week at Valderrama.
As a testament to just how challenging the course is, no fewer than three of the A’s holes featured inthe top 18 hardest holes on The European Tourin 2015, with the 475-yard par four fifth ranking the second most difficult of any played last season at an average of 4.56. Gulp.
THE KEY STATS
• AmericanWatsonwill be making his sixth European Tour appearance in China, having played in the WGC – HSBC Champions four times. His record? 33rd in 2012, tied eighth in 2013, winner in 2014 and tied 35th in 2015. The other event was last year’s Shenzhen International, where he was tied 29th.
• IfAphibarnrat makes a successful defence he would become just the third Asian player to win four or more European Tour titles, following Thongchai Jaidee (seven) and Jeev Milkha Singh (four).
•SSP Chawrasia, winner of the recent Hero Indian Open and theMarch Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month, will be looking to join Jaidee and become the second player to win his first four European Tour titles on Asian soil. The previous three were all in his native India.
•Jiménezwill be playing in his 673rd European Tour event this week and will be trying to extend his record for the most number of European Tour victories in the Far East. ‘El Mecanico’ already has six victories in the region to his name.
THE FANTASY PICKS
Aphibarnrat, Levy and Alvaro Quiros. Why? Find out in'Fantasy three to watch'and make sure tochange your team before the deadline on Wednesday evening.
