As the Road to Oman arrives in Foshan for the second week of our fortnight in China, we take a look at some of the interesting plots emerging from one of the final events of the European Challenge Tour season.
Rain, rain go away
After last week’s Hainan Open was reduced to 36 holes when heavy rain plagued the Chinese island, many competing at Foshan Golf Club are hoping for a respite from further heavy downpours. After 200mm of rain fell on Sanya in 24 hours, the ground staff did an excellent job in ensuring that the event was able to finish. This week’s green keepers may have a similar job on their hands, with further showers predicted as two typhoons are set to hit southern China, meaning all at the Foshan Open have their fingers crossed.
Walker's return
Road to Oman Number Two Sam Walker continued his rich vein of form at the Hainan Open, finishing tied sixth to make it five top tens in his last six Challenge Tour starts – including two victories. The 38 year old returns to a happy hunting ground in Foshan Golf Club this week, where he will be aiming to go one better than he managed in 2013 when he narrowly missed out to Spain’s Nacho Elvira, who made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole to secure a one-shot win. Now back in southern China, the Englishman will be hoping he can walk the walk and rise to the top of the Rankings.
Spanish success
From Elvira’s triumph at the tournament’s inaugural staging in 2013, to Borja Virto’s stunning wire-to-wire victory 12 months ago, the Spanish have enjoyed a lot of success at the Foshan Open. Hoping to add his name to the list of successful Spanish sons is Barcelona-born Pep Angles, who moved up to 12thin the Rankings with a second-place finish at the Hainan Open. The 23 year old, who finished tied 19thin his first European Tour start at the Real Club Valderrama Open deEspaña, Hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation, will be looking to make it three Spanish wins in four years in Foshan.
Jason’s journey
When speaking of returning champions, there has rarely been a more popular winner on Europe’s top developmental tour than England’s Jason Palmer, who after winning in Foshan in 2014 has become a legendary figure in the Chinese district. The 32 year old, famed for his one-handed chipping technique, will be coming back to a hero’s welcome, but he will not hit a shot this week as he is on the bag for his close friend Charlie Ford.
Finn-al countdown
Coming in to the field at the eleventh hour is Finland’s Kalle Samooja. The 28 year old, whose best result of the season came three weeks ago at the Kazakhstan Open where he finished tied ninth, will be hoping he can emulate Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult who went on to finish tied sixth at the Hainan Open after being the last man in the field.
