The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Big tourney now made conspicuous by absence
Spanish ayes: Leading player is world No. 9 but Poulter focused
The Volvo world matchplay used to be regarded as a meeting of the best golfers in the business, but this week’s event is more notable for those not making the trip to Spain.
A quick glance at the world rankings shows the leading player taking part is Martin Kaymer, world number nine.
It means there is no Rory Mcilroy, last year’s runnerup Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Tiger Woods or Steve Stricker in the field.
The absentees will not concern Ian Poulter as he looks to Ernie Els for inspiration in becoming the f i r s t man since the South African to defend his title.
Els completed his second hat- trick of victories in 2004 while Seve Ballesteros, Hale Irwin and Gary Player are the only others to have retained the title.
Poulter defeated Donald in the final last year and he will be looking to repeat the performance on his first appearance of the season on European soil at Finca Cortesin.
The Englishman said: “I love the cut-and-thrust of match-play and find it a refreshing change from the usual stroke-play format we play week-in, week-out on the Tour.
“And with the fact it is Ryder Cup year, I think it will be even more exciting with every match from the group stages to the final a chance to impress captain Olazabal i n our final chance to play match-play before Medinah.”
Rafael Cabrera Bello, Sergio Garcia and Alvaro Quiros carry the home hopes while South African Branden Grace is targeting a clean sweep of titles.
Having won the Golf Champions and China Open, in addition to the Joburg Open, he is bidding tobecomethe first player to win four times in the season after graduation from the Challenge Tour.
Grace is one of four South Africans in the field along with Retief Goosen, whowill be making his 11th appearance in the championship this week– themost of any player in the field – Jbe Kruger and 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel.
England is represented by five players, the most of any nation, followed by South Africa with four, Spain (3), Northern Ireland (2), Sweden (2) plus Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Scotland and the United States.
Robert Karlsson received a late call-up after sponsor’s invite Paul Casey, the 2006 champion, was forced to withdraw after aggravating the shoulder injury which ruled him out of action earlier this season.
The players, divided into eight groups of three, start with a round-robin format tomorrow and Friday. Saturday is knockout. FOOTBALL: npower League 2 play-off semi-final second leg, Southend v Crewe – Sky Sports 1 7.30pm; Uefa under-17s championship final, Germany v Holland – British Eurosport 4.45pm. CRICKET: Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders – ITV4 3pm, Setanta Ireland 3.20pm. TENNIS: Internazionali BNL d’italia – British Eurosport 10am, Sky Sports 2 11am and 6pm. CYCLING: Giro d’italia – British Eurosport 1.45pm; Tour of California – British Eurosport 10.55am. DIVING: European championships from Eindhoven – British Eurosport 6.45pm. RACING: From York – Channel 4 1.05pm. FOOTBALL: npower League 2 play-off semi-final second leg, Torquay v Cheltenham – Sky Sports 1 7.30pm; Women’s Champions League final, Lyon v Frankfurt – British Eurosport 4.45pm; Eredivisie Europa League play-off final, Rkcwaalwijk v Vitesse Arnhem – ESPN 7.45pm. CRICKET: First day of the first Test from Lord’s, England v West Indies – Sky Sports 1 10am; Indian Premier League, Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils v Royal Challengers Bangalore – ITV4 11am, Setanta Ireland 11.20am and 3.20pm. TENNIS: Internazionali BNL d’italia – British Eurosport 10am, Sky Sports 2 11am and 6pm. GOLF: World match-play championship from Wentworth – Sky Sports 3 1pm; Byron Nelson championship from Texas – Sky Sports 3 8pm. CYCLING: Giro d’italia – British Eurosport 1.45pm; Tour of California – British Eurosport 9.45am. DARTS: Premier League – Sky Sports 2 7pm. SAILING: America’s Cup World Series – Sky Sports 4 1pm. RACING: From York and Salisbury – Channel 4 1.05pm.