Tour Previews 26.03.08
Wednesday 26th March 2008
By Fergus Bisset
European Tour
MAPFRE Open de Andalucía by Valle Romano
Lowdown:
The 2008 European Tour makes its first stop on the European mainland at Aloha Golf Club in Southern Spain this week. Promoted by Spanish stars Miguel Angel Jimenez and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, the event has attracted some of the biggest names on the European Tour including Martin Kaymer, Anders Hanson and Lee Westwood.
Last season Westwood came back from a mediocre first round of level par 72 and played the closing 54 holes in -20 to secure a two shot win over Fredrik Andersson Hed and Phillip Archer. It was his first European Tour victory in four years.
Located inland from Peurto Banus, Aloha opened for play back in 1975. It's not a long course by modern standards and it's not power-hitting that will win the tournament. Placement from the tee and accurate approach play is the objective.
Venue: Aloha GC, Spain
Course stats: 6,881 yards, par 72
Purse: €1,000,000 Winner: €166,660
Defending Champion: Lee Westwood
TV coverage:
Thurs 27 – Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1: 11am and 3.30pm
Fri 28 – Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1: 11am and 3.30pm
Sat 29 – Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports HD3: 1pm
Sun 30 – Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports HD2: 1pm
Player Watch
Lee Westwood – The defending champion is due a victory and is showing promising form so far this season.
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano – If the Spaniard is on his game he can mix it with the best. As a tournament promoter he'll be keen to put on a good showing.
Gregory Havret – The Frenchman finished well in last week's WGC-CA Championship and will be looking to build on that performance here.
Key Hole: 16th. A par five but, at 529 yards, it should be reachable in two for most of the field. As it's a dog-leg left it demands a draw for both tee shot and approach.
Skills Required: Accuracy. Precise approach play will be key to scoring here.
PGA Tour
Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Lowdown:
One of the oldest events on the PGA Tour, the New Orleans Open was first contested in 1939. Over the years the tournament has produced a diverse selection of victors – eight different nations have been represented in the winner's circle over the last 20 years. Given the cultural melting pot that is the city of New Orleans, such variation seems appropriate.
For the last three years the title has gone to first-time winners: Tim Petrovic, Chris Couch and Nick Watney. In 2007 Watney fired four rounds in the 60s around the TPC Louisiana to hold off Ken Duke and a charging Anthony Kim.
The course was altered dramatically by Pete Dye after the 2005 tournament. Bucking the modern trend, the majority of his changes involved shortening holes and adding hazards to demand a more strategic approach.
Venue: TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana
Course stats: 7,341 yards, par 72
Purse: $6,200,000 Winner: $1,116,000
Defending Champion: Nick Watney
TV coverage:
Thurs 27 – Setanta Golf 7pm
Fri 28 – Setanta Golf 7pm
Sat 29 – Setanta Golf 7pm
Sun 30 – Setanta Golf 8pm
Player Watch
Retief Goosen – The South African looks to be coming back towards his best form. He's aiming to sharpen his game in preparation for the Masters.
Alex Cejka – Had a solid top-ten here last year and has featured at the weekend a number of times so far this year.
Ryuji Imada – Another man who's showed great form so far in 2008. He's had two second places and is due a breakthrough win. As the last three years have proved, this is the event to do it in.
Key Hole: 15th. A very tough par four of 480 yards. The hole requires a solid drive and, although there are no bunkers, the green is surrounded by tricky run-offs making pitching very difficult.
Skills Required: Course management. The winner will carefully plot his way round this re-designed layout. Bludgeoning it with the driver is not always the most prudent option.
