EUROPEAN TOUR ANDALUCIAN OPEN:AUSTRALIAN RICHARD Green has a final chance to qualify for the coming US Masters this week – but he needs an awful lot of help from an awful lot of people.
First of all the 40-year-old left-hander has to win the Andalucian Open in Malaga, as South African Louis Oosthuizen did last March, to climb into the world’s top 50 and earn a place at Augusta.
But even if he lifts the trophy on Sunday, Green would then have to wait to see what happens at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida. A number of players there could deny him a second Masters appearance, among them Italian teenager Matteo Manassero. His hopes of returning a year after he made the cut as British amateur champion depend on him finishing in the top 20 at Bay Hill – and possibly a lot higher.
Dane Thomas Bjorn, who won the Qatar Masters last month and then knocked Tiger Woods out of the WGC-Accenture Matchplay, would also have had an opportunity in Malaga of making it to Augusta, but a family illness led to him pulling out of the event.
Oosthuizen was another withdrawal because of a virus that has spread from his eye to his mouth – the British Open champion hopes to return to action in Houston next week – and that leaves only two members of the world’s current top 50 in the field.
They are 21st-ranked Alvaro Quiros and fellow Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, who doubles up as tournament promoter and admits it makes life harder for him.
“It has been impossible to concentrate and practise for the last three months – too many phone calls and meetings, trying to find sponsors in a difficult financial climate,” the 47-year-old said.
“My mind tends to be all over the place and it comes as a relief when you get onto the first tee and you can then focus on your game.
“I am what I am thanks to golf and this is the way of giving back to Andalucia what I have achieved in 23 years on the European Tour.
“Golf in Andalucia is much more than just a sport – it has become an industry and, although we are going through difficult times, it generates many employees.”
Jimenez is one of only seven golfers to earn more than €17.25 million on the circuit, and two of the six ahead of him are also playing. Colin Montgomerie’s €23 million places him second to Ernie Els on the all-time list, while Darren Clarke has banked just short of €18.5 million.
Clarke is part of a seven-strong Irish contingent competing in Malaga. He is joined by Damien McGrane, Shane Lowry, Peter Lawrie, Gareth Maybin, Michael Hoey and Paul McGinley.
HOSTING the Ryder Cup for the first time boosted the Welsh economy by more than €95 million. A study conducted by IFM Sports Marketing Surveys interviewed spectators, local businesses, golf clubs, local residents and volunteers during and after Europe’s epic one-point victory at Celtic Manor last October.
The total attendance for the week was 244,000 and of those interviewed 69 per cent had come from outside Wales, including 7 per cent from the US and Canada.
The Lowdown
Course: Parador de Malaga Golf
Length: 6,817 yards. Par: 70.
Prizemoney: €1 million (€166,660 for the winner)
Field: 144
Defending champion: Louis Oosthuizen
First played: Last year
Most wins: Oosthuizen
On TV:Live on Sky Sports, 11am
Weather: Good for first three days, with light showers expected on Sunday afternoon. Wind less than 14 mph all four days.
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