The European Tour will make the short trip from Shenzhen to Beijing for this week’s Volvo China Open from the Topwin Golf and Country Club. The European Tour is on the other side of the world, so while it seems like a distant trip from the norm, they’ve already been hanging out in Asia, so the players have adjusted to the time zone.
This event first took place back in 1995 but it has only been a part of the European Tour since 2004 and this year’s field isn’t exactly loaded at the top. Don’t expect to see many brand name players as a lot of them are hanging around for the PGA Tour event. The China Open isn’t exactly a sexy event, so it doesn’t draw the A-listers as of right now. Still, there is a sizable prize on the line for those who participate as there is nearly four million (USD) in winnings to be had this weekend.
Event Details
Event: Volvo China Open
Category: European Tour
Date: April 28-May 1
Location: Topwin Golf and Country Club, Beijing, China
Joost Luiten will headline this year’s edition of the Volvo China Open with some outstanding views of the Great Wall of China lining the course. Four of the previous five winners needed a score of 19-under or better to earn their victory with Wu Ashun ending that trend last year when he won at 9-under for the tournament.
Past Five Winners
2015: Wu Ashun -9
2014: Alexander Levy -19
2013: Brett Rumford -19
2012: Branden Grace -21
2011: Nicholas Coisaerts -24
What To Know About The Course
The forecast calls for breezy conditions this week and it will be interesting to see how big of an impact recent form will have overall. Driving Distance will be important when those winds pick up and the contenders are forced to deal with the elements on the picturesque course. Greens in Regulation will also be an important factor to consider when breaking down the field for this week’s event.
The Field
There has been a lot of talk about the grind that players on the European Tour have faced over the past couple of weeks after playing the Open de Espana before travelling to China last week for the Shenzhen International. Joost luiten will be the betting favorite at +900 odds followed by Bernd Wiesberger at +1200 and 2014 winner Alexander Levy at +1600 odds. Ross Fisher, Tommy Fleetwood, Noren Alexander and Thorbjorn Noren round out the list of golfers expected to contend this week. Last year’s winner Wu Ashun is listed as a major long shot to repeat this week as he is listed at +15000 odds.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Bernd Wiesberger over Ross Fisher
Wiesberger is one of just a handful of European Tour players in the field that hasn’t played in either of the last two weeks and that could bode well for him heading into this event. There is no doubt that the travel will have had a toll on some of the other players and the reality is that Wiesberger would still rank among the favorites for this event even if he wasn’t as fresh as he is. Fisher is coming off a pair of top-20 finishes at the Open de Espana and Shenzhen International and while he could very well be destined for another top-25 finish this week we are banking on Wiesberger delivering the better performance at the Volvo China Open.
Top Five Pick: Joost Luiten
Luiten should undoubtedly be the most reliable pick to contend for the outright win and therefore finish in the top-five at the very minimum in the process. Luiten is coming off consecutive runner-up finishes at the Open de Espana and Shenzhen International and while he could very well slip eventually we don’t project it to happen this week. Look for Luiten to contend for the outright victory along with Wiesberger with both players looking like strong bets to finish in the top five at this week’s Volvo China Open.
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