As we prepare for the second of our two weeks in China, the Volvo China Open, here's a quick-fire guide for everything you need to know...
REWIND
In last year’s tournament,Wu Ashun made European Tour history by becoming the first Chinese player to win an event on home soil.
The 30 year old finished on nine under par after a final round 71, one shot ahead of England’sDavid Howell, who missed an eight-foot par putt on the last to force a play-off.
As a result of his maiden victory, Wu won the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month award - the first Chinese golfer to do so.
BITE-SIZED HISTORY
This year’s tournament is the 13th edition of the Volvo China Open. The first tournament in 2005 was won by Welshman Stephen Dodd.
The Great Wall of China can be seen from almost every hole on the course.
There have been seven holes-in-one in the Volvo China Open, including two each in 2014 and 2015.
In the 21 previous stagings of the Volvo China Open, there have been 21 different winners from 14 different countries.
THE FIELD
As well as Wu,Nicolas ColsaertsandYE Yangare two of six defending champions competing this week.
SSP Chawrasia, the recently-named Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month for March, is seeking his fourth European Tour title, while former European Number OneRobert Karlsson and popular SpaniardMiguel Ángel Jiménezare also in the hunt.
Alexander Levywill hope to continue his fine record in the Volvo China Open, having become the event’s youngest winner in 2014, at the age of 24, and finished tied third a year later. Levy’s fellow FrenchmanRaphaël Jacquelin, who was part of the French team which set a new Guinness World record earlier this month for the fastest hole in golf, goes in search of his fifth European Tour win.
THE COURSE
Like last week’s lengthy course,Topwin Golf and Country Clubis a beast at 7,229 yards. This is the first time the Beijing venue has been used for a European Tour event, and it is one of eight new layouts to be used this season.
With undulating greens and water hazards on every hole except 13, 14 and 15, Topwin, designed by 1991 Masters Champion Ian Woosnam, will certainly pose a tough test.
After the Shenzhen International spilled over into a fifth day because of storms and heavy rain, everyone will be pleased to see a much improved forecast for the Volvo China Open, with warm and dry conditions in the offing.
KEY STATS
Colsaertsis chasing history this week, aiming to become the first European Tour player to win his first three events with the same title sponsor. The Belgian made his European Tour breakthrough in the 2011 Volvo China Open, and the following year doubled his tally at the Volvo World Match Play Championship. Colsaerts has an enviable record in the Volvo China Open, finishing second in 2012 as well as tied eighth in 2010.
In 2013,Ye Wo-chengbecame the youngest player to compete in a European Tour event, aged just 12 years and 242 days. He broke the record ofGuan Tian-lang, who was 13 years and 177 days in this event in 2012.
The Volvo China Open has the distinction of being the first European Tour event to be played twice in the same season. This occurred in the 2006 season, first played in November 2005, won by Paul Casey, and then in April 2006, whenJeev Milkha Singhtriumphed.
FANTASY
On Tuesday we'll tell you the three players we think you should include in your Fantasy Race to Dubai team. Stay tuned.
