Y E Yang
Two names in the frame for Volvo World Match Play Championship
6/7/2010
After triumphing in the inaugural Volvo World Match Play Championship last year, Englishman Ross Fisher has already booked his place in the line-up for the next edition of professional golf’s most enduring match play event, as has Korean star YE Yang, courtesy of his victory in this year’s Volvo China Open in Suzhou.
With the Volvo World Match Play Championship field expanded from 16 to 24 for the next staging of the event in May 2011, there are already two names in the frame, reigning champion Ross Fisher from England and Korean YE Yang, the first Asian golfer to win a ‘Major’ championship.
Fisher qualified for the opportunity to defend his title when he defeated American Ryder Cup star Anthony Kim in the final at Finca Cortesín last November, whist Yang booked his place courtesy of winning the Volvo China Open in Suzhou earlier this year.
“Volvo World Match Play champion has a very nice ring to it,” said Fisher on picking up his trophy and champion’s cheque worth €750,000 last year, adding, “You look at the trophy and see those names on it, Ernie Els won it seven times, so maybe it’s the first of eight or nine for me.”
Meanwhile, YE Yang won the national open golf championship of China, the Volvo China Open in Suzhou in April and, like his predecessor Scott Strange, qualifies automatically for the next Volvo World Match Play Championship, which takes place at Finca Cortesín from 19th – 22nd May 2011.
Strange, who won the 2009 Volvo China Open was unlucky not to make it to the semi-finals of the inaugural Volvo World Match Play Championship last year, a miracle shot from Anthony Kim on the final hole edging the Australian on count-back.
Yang, who made golfing history by winning the USPGA Championship last year, the first Asian to win a ‘Major’ has limited match play experience, a couple of appearances in the WGC Accenture in Arizona and will make his debut in the Volvo World Match Play Championship should he take up his place in the €3.4million event.
The Volvo World Match Play Championship, the 46th edition of world golf’s longest-running professional match play event takes place at Finca Cortesín in Spain from 19th – 22nd May 2011.
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