VALDERRAMA holds an alluring fascination for Europe's players, for a number of reasons. And the hints of a rebirth in Seve Ballesteros' game in the European Masters at Cranssur Sierre last weekend indicate that the Spaniard's ambitions for next year's Ryder Cup match may yet exceed the non playing captain's role he is already guaranteed there.
Ballesteros achieved a rare (nowadays) top five finish in a European tour event and, intriguingly, a place among the early contenders for a Ryder Cup playing ticket. He is currently eighth in Europe's Ryder Cup table, albeit with some 11 months remaining in the quest for points.
But Raymond Burns has a more immediate destiny with Valderrama, hopefully. However, the 22 year old Ulsterman sights are not set on the Ryder Cup, just yet, rather on the end of season Volvo Masters, which takes place on October 24th-27th. "Time is running out for me," admitted Burns. "But I badly want to make the field."
Only the top 50 players in the Order of Merit qualify to compete in the event which has £900,000 in prizemoney and a bonus pool of £600,000. Burns, who is 71st in the prizemoney table, needs to claim approximately £40,000 to fight his way into the elite field. "I am giving myself every chance - I will play in every tournament I can from now on," he said.
His quest starts with this week's Lancome Trophy at St Nom Ia Breteche, Paris, when he forms part of a seven strong Irish contingent. Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Philip Walton (providing he is sufficiently recovered from the neck injury which forced his withdrawal from the European Masters), Darren Clarke, Des Smyth and David Higgins are also competing. Higgins, who has retained his tour card for next year, was, incidentally, one of the first players to arrive in Paris last evening.
"I am in positive mood, but disappointed at missing the cut in Crans, said Burns. "I had an opportunity to help my cause there but finished with a double bogey to miss the cut by one shot. And I also had two out of bounds.
I spent the weekend practising, although I don't feel there are any real problems with my game. I am very happy with the broom handle putter and I feel I just need to get into contention in a tournament to give it a real go. But I know I have to actually make cuts to do that," he added.
As things stand, Harrington, McGinley (who returns to the tour this week after missing Crans) and Clarke are the only Irish players assured of their places in next month's Volvo Masters - and even Ballesteros, at 92nd in this season's money list, is guaranteed a place in the field. Still, his performance in Crans brought an early touch of Ryder Cup romance to the qualifying race and emphasises Ballesteros's desire to play in the event next year.
Meanwhile, the first step for many aspiring members of the European Tour will take place at four venues in England today when East Sussex, Manchester, Five Lakes and Slaley Hall host Pre Qualifying I competition for the next three days. There will be second chances for players at the Pre Qualifying II next month with the Final Qualifying scheduled for southern Spain on November 21st-26th.
John McHenry, however, has been excused from the trauma of having to pre qualify. McHenry, who earned £15,088 from 10 tournaments earlier this season before sustaining a broken bone in his hand which prematurely ended his campaign, can compete in Final Qualifying. More importantly, the European Tour has granted him Category 12 (a) status due to his injury which will guarantee him a place in a minimum 15 events next season.
. The Ulster PGA Championship takes place at Castlehume Golf and Country Park, Enniskillen, today and tomorrow. Former European Tour player Jimmy Heggarty is among the 48 professionals competing.
