TCL Classic preview
The European Tour moves to Hainan Island in China this week, where Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Paul McGinley are fancied to produce good performances.
TOURNAMENT: TCL Classic
HOST COURSE: Yalong Bay GC, Hainan Island, China
PRIZE FUND: $1,000,000
COURSE DETAILS: par 72, 7,173 yards. Opened in 2000, this Robert Trent Jones-designed course has quickly become famous as one of the most picturesque in China. Water comes into play on 11 of the 18 holes, while despite the overall flatness of the course the greens are undulating and notoriously difficult to read.
European Ryder Cup stalwarts Lee Westwood and Paul McGinley are arguably the biggest draws for this week's galleries. McGinley (pictured) came extremely close to winning the event in 2005, but his stunning final round of 63 was only enough to secure a play-off spot and he eventually lost out to Paul Casey.
Westwood will be looking to open his account for 2007. His form either side of an excellent showing in the Ryder Cup has largely been disappointing and he will be hoping to raise his game in what is also his Ryder Cup skipper Ian Woosnam's return to competitive golf. England's Nick Dougherty, fresh from a decent performance in Singapore last week, is also worth looking out for.
CONTENDERS: Paul McGinley, Lee Westwood, Nick Dougherty
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
BETTING GUIDE: For betting tips from our expert Paul Krishnamurty click here