Yang Yong-eun vows to defend the Volvo China Open
The upcoming Volvo China Open Tour organizers revealed on Wednesday that the defending champion Yang Yong-eun has vowed to lift the cup again this year, something which has never happened before on the China Open’s 16-year history.
Yang won the 2010 episode of the event with 15-under, 2 shots ahead of the runners-up Rhys Davies and Stephen Dodd. He is the second South Korean to win the tournament after Charlie Wi, who triumphed at the 2001 event.
“I know the China Open title has never been successfully defended,” the 39-year-old said. “But there is a first time for everything.”
Yang is coming straight from last week’s Masters, where he finished 20th in one of the toughest and most celebrated Championships of the sport. But Yang will be facing a sturdy field, comprising of Padraig Harrington and European Ryder Cup captain
Colin Montgomerie, who loves playing on Asian courses. Montgomerie already has won the Hong Kong Open and the Macau Open and will prove to be a formidable challenge to the South Korean.
“Having won both the Hong Kong Open and the Macau Open, I would love to make it a hat-trick (in the region).” Montgomerie said.
Harrington, on the other hand, has won three majors but is without a win on the European Tour for the last three years.
Also part of the field will be China’s number one Liang Wenchong and Spaniard Sergio Garcia. Liang is OneAsia Tour’s Order of Merit Champion for the year 2010 and will be pitched in to be the third Chinese to win on the tour. Liang, winner of the last year’s
Chengdu open was upbeat about the change in venue of the tournament.
“I've been especially excited about (this event) ever since Luxehills was announced as the host venue,” he said. “I feel fresh, relaxed and on top of my game, but if I am to win against a world class field, I will have to play my very best.”
The tournament will be held at its new venue the Luxehills International Country Club with an extended purse of a staggering $3-million. The prize fund is up 20% as compared to last year’s event. The tournament is scheduled to begin from April 21.
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