With less than two months to go until the landmark 20th staging of the Volvo China Open, the latest three places have been claimed by a trio of international golfers.
Taiwan’s Mou Chung-ho gave a masterful display of both power and precision to post a course record-equaling 66 in the second and final round of the Sanya Luhuitou Qualifying last weekend.
Mou’s five under par total for the 36-hole event was two shots better than first round leader Daniel Woltman of the USA. Taking the third qualifying spot was Hong Kong’s James Stewart, who avoided a nerve-wracking play-off by sinking a six-foot birdie putt on the final hole.
However, the day belonged to the 23 year old Mou, who made six birdies in a near flawless bogey-free round at Sanya Luhuitou Golf Club on a course that has a reputation for being one of the most demanding layouts on Hainan Island.
“I played very smoothly today,” said Mou, who graduated from the University of Florida last June and turned pro in August. “Even when I didn’t hit the ball all that well, I didn’t really get into any trouble. My approach shots, short game and putting were all very good today. This is the first time I’ve tried to qualify for the Volvo China Open, and to be honest I didn’t think I would qualify at the start of the week, so of course I’m delighted with the result.”
Overnight leader Daniel Woltman held the outright lead at six under par after 10 holes but suffered four bogeys in the next eight holes to eventually post a score of one under par 71 for a three under par aggregate and to take the second qualifying spot.
“Everything was good on the front nine, but I struggled a bit on the back nine when the wind got up and made things tough,” said Woltman, 27, who travelled for 31 hours to get to Sanya.
“I’m glad I managed to hang on and take one of the three qualifying spots. I’m going to fly back home tomorrow and work on my game for six weeks in preparation for the Volvo China Open. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to play in a European Tour event and hopefully it will open some doors. I can’t wait to call my family to the share the exciting news.”
James Stewart was both relieved and excited to steal the last qualifying spot, having lost out in a play off on two previous occasions when the International Qualifier was held in Hong Kong.
He sat comfortably in third place until he reached the tricky par three 16th when he made his first bogey of the day. Stewart then compounded his problems when he made another bogey on the following hole, but knowing he needed a birdie on the last, he played three magnificent shots to the par five 18th and holed a six-foot birdie putt to avoid a play off.
“I was really happy to finish with a birdie, as saw the leader board near the 17th green so I knew I had to make one to qualify,” said Stewart. “I really didn’t want to endure another play off having lost out twice before so I was thrilled to make that birdie and qualify for the Volvo China Open.”
Taiwan’s Lawrence Ting won the battle of the juniors and claimed the Leading Amateur trophy after a four over par round of 76 saw him finish five shots ahead of Hong Kong’s Wu Sho-wai.
The 20th Volvo China Open takes place from April 24th-27th at the Genzon Golf Club, Shenzhen, Southern China. This will be Volvo’s 82nd tournament on the European Tour. The prize fund of RMB 20 million includes a winner’s cheque of RMB 3.3 million. Volvo is organising the event together with the China Golf Association and it is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and OneAsia.
