Golf News 2006
Golf News in 2006 for Costa del Sol and Andalucia. Keep up to date with the news highlights from the world of golf on the Costa del Sol and Andalucia, Spain.
Volvo Masters 2006
By Chris Chaplow at Valderrama
Jeev Singh, wins the 2006 Volvo Masters. The overnight leader finished two under par on the final day of the four day tornament. The softly spoken Jeev Singh's only previous serious title was The Volvo China Open earlier this year. He was ranked 44th in the European Tour Order of Merit, this win of 666 thousand Euro moved him up into 16th position. Singh, the first Indian golfer to qualify for The European Tour by winning his card in 1997 is the son of a former Olympic sprinter. The best advise from his father was, "you've got to stay in the present and you've got to breath well." Sing represented India in 1996 Alfred Dunhill Cup, beating Andrew Coltart as India pulled off a shock win over Scotland Asked if he is a good front runner after day three he said, "Not too bad, I would prefer coming from the back, we will see what happens tomorrow.
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| Sergio Garcia in 2nd place |
Sergio Garcia from Spain, tournament at two under par to become the runner up for the third consecutive year, much to the disapointment of the Spanish spectators and no doubt the events co-sponsors. Sergio said after the third days play. "It has been rather complicated day with the wind. I think to finish a day like this on this course with just one bogey (7th) to me, it means a lot. I only made two bridies, but going out today with just one bogey at Valderrama. Few times, I leave the course saying I could have had a lower score, with the wind as it is, to be below par it Valderrama, it's always a good thing."
Luke Donald and and Padraig Harrington also finished second equal at one under par. It was the best second of Padraig's career however as the 298 thousand Euro prize just took him to finish the season with 2.5 milion Euro just above Paul Casey to win the European Tour Order of Merit.
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| Padraig Harrington and family with Order of Merit Trophy 2006 |
Due to a eagle on the par 5 fourth Johan Edfors (Sweeden), the leaders partner enjoyed the joint lead for a few holes, but a double bogie on the seventh reduced the score to one under par and then a bogie on the 12th and three more on the last four holes finish the tournament on plus four.
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| Johan Edfors, Volvo Masters 2006 |
Henrik Stenson (Sweeden) recording a two over par score, sixth in the European ranking and member of the winning Ryder Cup team has won two titles this year in Qatar and Munich said afterwards “Its a tough day out there. Valderrama is a good course no matter what the conditions.
The Volvo Masters, the traditional end-of-season showpiece of the European Tour (see live scores Leaderboard) is the jewel in the crown of European golf; played over Valderrama Course, continental Europe’s premier golf course (Read golfers comments on the Valderrama golf course) and open only to the season’s top 60 money winners, the European Tour Order of Merit is up for grabs and 11 of the 12 European 2006 Ryder Cup team are competing.
The event is open to the public. The Competition takes place over four days as a 72 hole stroke play. On Saturday 26th on the Final day on Sunday 29th October 2006 the entrance is 30€.. Discounts are available for Seniors and Children under 12 free. PARKING IS FREE with regular shuttles to access area every few minutes. Please note main access point will be besides the 7th fairway not the clubhouse as has been previously.
Inaugurated in 1988, the Volvo Masters is now in its 19th year and in all that time, no golfer has ever successfully defended his crown; such is the pressure to perform against a jury of his peers, and over the 1997 Ryder Cup course, Valderrama traditionally thwarts reigning champions’ dreams whilst serving up drama in abundance.
18 different champions have tried and failed to make history by defending their Volvo Masters crown. Offering the richest average prize per player in European golf, over € 4 million shared between the select 60.
“The Volvo Masters is special, very special,” says one of only two me to have tasted victory twice, Scotsman Colin Montgomerie, who famously won the Volvo PGA Championship three times in a row between 1998 and 2000.
“To do that was amazing, but it’s different at the Volvo Masters, end of season, huge prize money, great golf course, the 60 best players on the European Tour and, like last year the European Tour Order of Merit on the table too,” explained Monty, the man who won seven successive Volvo Order of Merit crowns in a golden era in the 1990’s. The 19th Volvo Masters once again rounds-off the European Tour.
After Volvo the main sponsor of this event is the Andalucian Tourist Board who have contributed just over 4 million euros in three year agreement which terminates in 2007 and is likely to be renewed.