Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts confirm their participation in Volvo China Open scheduled in April
China will feature another star-studded professional golf event earlier this year, when the coveted 2012 Volvo China Open will return at the scenic Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin, from April 19-22.
Top ranked players of the likes of Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and defending champion Nicolas Colsaerts will be part of the field of the event.
Both Poulter and Colsaerts confirmed on March 1st, about their willingness to join the field at the event, providing the much needed hype to promote the event ahead of the schedule.
There is no saying whether the controversial appearance money actually played its part to convince the high profile players to feature in the event.
The sturdy Belgian, Colsaerts carded his maiden victory on the Chinese turf last year and is hoping to extend his supremacy in the event.
He said, "Golf is really growing in China, and I think that my win last year was a huge step in the growth of my own game".
He continued, "I can’t wait to get back out there and feel what it is like to be defending champion, especially as I always seem to raise my game in Volvo’s tournaments. I would love to be the first player to successfully defend the title".
Poulter, winner of the last year’s Volvo World Match Play Championship, is also hoping to make it big earlier in the year, utilising his penchant for the Chinese turf.
The Englishman said, “I am delighted to be competing for this title for the first time, especially with Volvo’s terrific long-term commitment to the event”.
Poulter was severely criticised by the legendary Nick Faldo just a few days back when the veteran thrashed Poulter for his non-serious attitude towards the sport.
He lamented that Poulter is in a habit of wasting too much of his precious time, indulging in useless varied interests he has.
Poulter not only runs his own apparel manufacturing brand along with his wife but is also one of the avid users of the social network Tweeter.
He has no fewer than a whooping 2-million fan following on Tweeter and is often seen punching his keypad on course.
Faldo argued that Poulter needs to concentrate on his primary obligation rather than throwing away his hard-earned success and fame.
Meanwhile, Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management, was more than happy to watch big names coming down to play at the picturesque Binhai Golf Club.
He argued over the fact that the event has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years and the management considers it as the fifth major outside the continental Europe and mainland US.
Ericsson also disclosed that the management is currently negotiating with some of the giants of the sport and they are hoping to land a breakthrough in coming weeks.
Volvo China Open is one of the bigger events on the Chinese trail in the season and the field usually comprises of top Asian players
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