The Cadillac Russian Open celebrates its tenth anniversary this weekend, as The European and Challenge Tours once again join forces for this the third dual ranking event of the 2005 season at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.
While the top echelon of The European Tour Members are in America trying to add to Michael Campbell of New Zealand’s magnificent US Open victory at the season’s fourth Major, the US PGA Championship, the rest of the European Tour Membership will have the opportunity to test themselves against the emerging talents of the Challenge Tour.
Last year’s Russian Open was the perfect example of The European and Challenge Tour’s going head to head, as Englishman Gary Emerson, who, up until his victory in Moscow, had played the majority of his golf in 2004 on the Challenge Tour, secured his maiden European Tour title at the after a closing round of four under par 68 gave him a four round total of 16 under par 272 to leave him two shots clear of Austrian European Tour regular Markus Brier.
Welshman Kyron Sullivan of the Challenge Tour took third place on 13 under, with European Tour player Mattias Eliasson of Sweden a shot further back in fourth place.
Emerson, who played 35 holes during the final day at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club after Saturday’s suspension of play due to incessant rainfall, became the 300th player to win on The European Tour International Schedule and also the second player – after Australian Marcus Fraser last year – to win the Russian Open on his first visit to Moscow.
Among the first time visitors to Moscow this year is South African David Frost one of golf’s most consistent and versatile performers who has won twice on The European Tour and recorded victories all over the world, from his native South Africa to the USA. The 45 year old, who finished tied for 15th place at The 134th Open Championship at St Andrews last month, would surely love to add victory in Russia to his highly impressive CV.
Joining Frost at Le Meridien Moscow Country Club are some vastly experienced European Tour players in the form of former Ryder Cup man Andrew Coltart of Scotland.
The Cadillac Russian Open will carry a prize fund of US$500,000, with the winner taking home $83,330 as well as a one year exemption to The 2006 European Tour. Cadillac is set to officially launch the award winning Cadillac STS, which won the “Car Interior of the Year 2005” at the Auto Interiors Show 2005, to the Russian public at the Cadillac Russian Open.
