EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS: SPAIN'S WORLD number five Sergio Garcia and seventh-ranked Camilo Villegas contest the Castello Masters title this weekend, but that has not stopped the Spaniard inviting his arch rival to be his house guest.
The pair went head to head only three weeks ago when Colombian Villegas came out tops in a play-off for the Tour Championship on the USPGA Tour.
They are also best friends and Garcia had no hesitation asking Villegas to join him at his home for the inaugural Castello Masters which the Spanish Ryder Cup player is hosting, starting from today near Valencia.
"Camilo is a great friend and I was very happy when he agreed to play this week," Garcia said after practising with the Colombian.
Villegas, who made his mark in Europe when he shot a 65 in bad weather in the British Open second round at Royal Birkdale in July, is just one top performer Garcia has persuaded to play at a course he has revamped with his father and coach Victor, a European Seniors Tour player.
Europe's 2007 number one Justin Rose of Britain, world number 10 Henrik Stenson of Sweden and another 2008 Ryder Cup player, Briton Paul Casey, also line up for the €2 million tournament.
In a bid to give his debut at event promotion the best possible start, Garcia has supervised everything to do with the tournament and made several changes to the Mediterraneo course. "We've tried to make the course more competitive, lengthening a few tees, putting in two new lakes and more bunkering on the 10th," Garcia said.
"This week I will be giving 120 per cent, not just off the course but on it as well," he added.
Jose Maria Olazabal held the old course record of 61 before it was revamped and the twice US Masters champion is also in the field as he continues his rehabilitation following further disruption to his career through rheumatism in his back.
Olazabal (42) returned to action after a three-month lay-off at the Madrid Masters two weeks ago, in which he played all four rounds.
This week's event is the final one to count for those players struggling to make the top 115 on Europe's money-list which assures a playing card for next season.
None of Europe's top three in the money-list, top man Robert Karlsson, second-placed Pádraig Harrington and third-placed Lee Westwood feature in the event and will scrap it out next week in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama.
"I didn't consider changing my schedule," said Karlsson, now up to number six in the new world rankings. "I had a couple of little niggles going on (last week) and a week off to get fully fit for Valderrama is a better idea."
Villegas, is considering playing the minimum 12 events to qualify as a 2009 European Tour player. The 26-year-old Colombian said the European Tour would provide "a good option" as he seeks to become a more global performer.
"Yes, it's crossed my mind," he said. "I like playing around the world and Europe seems a good spot. I am going to be playing a little bit more overseas so we'll see what happens."
After winning twice on the PGA Tour during the Fedex Cup, in which he finished second behind Vijay Singh, Villegas has climbed to number seven in the world and would only need to play five extra European Tour events, one of them in Europe, to fulfil his mandatory 12 tournaments to become a member.
"I can count on seven from the majors and the world golf events, so I could do it. I've always wanted to be a world player and playing both tours might be a good option so we'll see how the schedule all works and how we can handle everything," he said.
Villegas admitted the European Tour's richest season, the "Race to Dubai", has provided not only a lure for him but several US Tour players. "That's ('Race to Dubai') going to catch a lot players' attention and it will be nice to see some of the US guys come across the pond," added Villegas.
One of his five regular 2009 European Tour commitments might well be this week's event again. And there will be no quarter given by Villegas or Garcia.
"Let me tell you, when he (Garcia) stands on that first tee he's going to do everything he can to beat every guy in the field and when I step on the first tee I'm trying to do the same," said Villegas. "Every player is trying to win the tournament. It doesn't matter how good friends you are."
Paul McGinley, a player desperately seeking to rediscover his form, is one of four Irish players competing this weekend, where he is joined by Gary Murphy, Peter Lawrie and Rory McIlroy.
'Race to Dubai' to attract US players says McIlroy
THE EUROPEAN Tour's lucrative "Race to Dubai" will help close the gap on the USPGA Tour and could tempt US players to cross the Atlantic in search of massive pay days, said Rory McIlroy.
The 19-year-old from Northern Ireland, who will play in next month's Singapore Open, said that while the US was still the home of the biggest tournaments, the European Tour had a lot to offer.
"I think the gap between the European Tour and the USPGA Tour is very small now," McIlroy said yesterday.
"And with the 'Race to Dubai' and the massive prize fund that comes along with that, it'll bring a few guys from the States over here."
The European Tour's new look "Race to Dubai" schedule for next year includes some 53 tournaments taking place in 26 destinations before the Dubai World Championship finale from November 19th-22nd, 2009.
McIlroy narrowly missed out on winning the European Masters last month, losing out in a play-off to Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin in Switzerland.
"You have to learn how to lose before you can win. Maybe it wasn't a bad thing that I didn't finish it off," said McIlroy.
The Co Down native, who has broken into the top 40 on the European Tour's order of merit, is relishing the opportunity of facing some of the biggest names in golf at the Asian Tour's flagship event, the Singapore Open. Major winners Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Pádraig Harrington are in the field for the November 13th-16th event and McIlroy said he was pleased to be sharing a stage with them.
"If I'm in the limelight I'm obviously doing good things, added McIlroy, who will be making his first visit to the country.
"It's a great field playing and so it'll be a great opportunity for me to test myself against some of the best players in the world."
Castello Masters
Course: Club de Campo Mediterraneo, Castellon, near Valencia.
Length: 7,111 yards. Par: 71.
Prize-money: €2 million, €333,300 to winner.
Field: 114.
On TV: Live on Sky Sports all four days, starting at 11am today.
Weather: Cloudy first round, clear Friday, breezy Saturday, wet and windy Sunday.
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