The Volvo Masters, first played in 1988, brings the curtain down on The 2007 European Tour International Schedule. Each edition has created its own special piece of drama and excitement with the Order of Merit on the line. Legends have been born and careers shaped by the outcome of events at Valderrama.
This 20th anniversary edition of the Volvo Masters lives up to its billing as the magnificent end of season finale, with any one of five players vying for the right to have their name engraved on the Harry Vardon Trophy.
Drama at Valderrama has been the order of the day since Nick Faldo triumphed in the inaugural event two decades ago. This is the 15th time in 20 years that Valderrama has hosted the Volvo Masters and eight past champions line up alongside title holder Jeev Milkha Singh this week.
The question on most lips is: will another new name appear on the Vardon Trophy after 72 holes of competitive golf on a course demanding the utmost concentration? Ernie Els heads the Order of Merit with €2,496.237 but Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose of England and Swedes Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson can all overhaul the South African this week on the Costa del Sol.
Open Champion Harrington, currently lying second with €2,278,942, is driven to defend his title as European Number One, which he secured after a gripping duel with England’s Paul Casey 12 months ago. Equally motivated to win a first Vardon Trophy are Rose, lying third with €2,278,285, Stenson lying fourth with €1,986,191, and Fasth, lying fifth with €1,873,238.
In addition to the top 60 on the Order of Merit after the Mallorca Classic, Volvo has invited all past winners back to Valderrama to commemorate the 20th Volvo Masters, a move which will see Ronan Rafferty (1989), Sandy Lyle (1992), Colin Montgomerie (1993 and 2002), Alex Cejka (1995), Miguel Angel Jiménez (1999), Harrington (2001), Ian Poulter (2004), Paul McGinley (2005) and Jeev Milkha Singh (2006) in the field.
A total of ten players will be making their debuts in the Volvo Masters, including first time winners on The European Tour Grégory Bourdy, Ross Fisher, Mikko Ilonen and YE Yang. Other Valderrama rookies are Fredrik Andersson-Hed, Pelle Edberg, Mark Foster, Martin Kaymer, Jyoti Randhawa and Oliver Wilson.
Kaymer, currently in 48th place on the Order of Merit following a number of outstanding performances, is also favourite for The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award and will be looking for a good week in his attempt to become the first German player to win the award.
