Chinese golf fans were treated to a thrilling end to last week’s Shenzhen International. After stalking the leaders for the first three days, Tommy Fleetwood burst into life on Sunday for a charge up the leaderboard only to be pipped in a playoff by Bernd Wiesberger. The victorious Austrian could not hide his delight at his first European Tour win for nearly two years and he remains in China this week to see if he can win again at the Volvo China Open.
The action moves from Shenzhen to Beijing this week for a tournament which has been part of the European Tour since 2004. In renewals past big names like Paul Casey, Nicolas Colsaerts and Branden Grace have won the title but the most popular victor came last year when Li Haotong shot a bogey free final round of 64 to win in front of his home fans.
Another high class field have assembled at Topwin Golf and Country Club for this year’s tournament. It’s the second time that the Ian Woosnam design has been used as host. In getting to 22 under par, Haotong showed that this is far from the most challenging course players of this calibre will face. It does play a long 7,261 yards from the back tees but you can’t simply overpower Topwin. The parkland course includes trees ready to catch wayward drives while the sloping greens require a deft touch to avoid bogeys.
Fisher’s in Fine Fettle
Ross Fisher is the living embodiment of the value of hard work. The Englishman is a bona fide European Tour stalwart but he’s really been putting in the extra work with his coach over the past year or so and that graft is shining through in his golf.
After kicking off 2017 with two missed cuts, Fisher had two wonderful showings at the two World Golf Championships which got him into the Masters. He made the cut at Augusta and then finished third at last week’s Shenzhen International. All elements of Fisher’s game are firing at the moment and having learnt about the course at Topwin last year, he looks well placed for an assault on the title at a best price of 11/1 with Bet365.
Wood’s Reappearance Worth Taking Seriously
Chris Wood has had his hands full off the golf course lately. After getting married last year, the 29-year-old has recently welcomed his first child so life back in Bristol has perhaps been a little hectic. Wood couldn’t quite get his game going at the Masters but the fact that he’s making an appearance in Beijing is well worth taking seriously.
On paper, this looks like a course where Wood’s power and excellent ball striking should be highly effective. He clearly feels likewise so his chances of winning must be respected at 40/1 with BetVictor.
Bjerregaard Can Go Close Again
Ask European Tour players who they think is the next young player with a chance of making a big breakthrough and you’ll hear the name Lucas Bjerregaard over and over again. The 25-year-old Dane is still finding his feet a little on Tour but he finished third here a year ago and acclimatised last week at Shenzhen so looks worthy of each way support at 60/1 with Betfred.