EUROPEAN TOUR:SUZHOU JINJI Lake International Golf Club is the new venue for the Volvo China Open and the Gary Player-designed layout should provide a fascinating test for a decent field.
Both nines of the course just outside of Shanghai are a completely different set-up with the outward half wetlands while the homeward stretch is links.
There should be something for everyone then and if keenness is anything to go by, then Gareth Maybin gets top marks.
The rising star from Belfast was among the first players out during practice as he starts to familiarise himself with the venue.
It is very much a case of “when” rather than “if” Maybin posts a victory. Beaten in a play-off by Richard Sterne in South Africa last year, he also played very well in Malaysia and and the Czech Republic and the experience of those near misses should stand him in very good stead this season.
Tied 20th in this event 12 months ago in Beijing, Maybin has tremendous memories of playing in China having won the Qingdao Open whilst on the Challenge Tour back in 2008.
Two top-10 displays so far this campaign are promising and Maybin reckons his time is just around the corner.
He said: “My game is good right now, steady without any fireworks but I feel as though I’m ready to take the next step up and hopefully can do something special this week.”
The other Irish players who have made the 30-hour trip to the wet and cold garden city of Suzhou are Graeme McDowell, Damien McGrane, Paul McGinley, Peter Lawrie and Shane Lowry.
Korea’s YE Yang will look to build on last week’s top-10 finish at the Masters. The 2009 PGA Championship winner finished tied for eighth at Augusta and is certainly the in-form player.
Henrik Stenson, Oliver Wilson, McDowell and Thongchai Jaidee all failed to make the weekend at Augusta.
“Overall, I feel really good. It took a long time to travel from Augusta, but I am rested. It’s great to be back in Asia and hopefully I perform as well as I feel,” said Yang.
CHINA OPEN
Course: Suzhou Junji Lake GC
Length: 7,321 yards.
Par: 72
Prizemoney: €1.84 million (€307,256 for the winner)
Layout: Gary Player-designed, it opened in 2006 and features three nines, all quite different. The links-style and wetlands versions are the ones chosen for use this week. The 615-yard second hole is the longest while the long fourth and 11th are two testing par fours.
Field: 156
Defending champion: Scott Strange
On TV today: Sky Sports 2 (6am)
Weather forecast: Chilly and cloudy
