Retief Goosen
South African duo Charl Schwartzel and Retief Goosen are the latest stars to confirm their participation in the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesín from May 19th - 22nd, 2011.
Schwartzel, who won his first Major title at the 2011 Masters and two-time Major winner Retief Goosen will be fearsome opposition for the 14 players already confirmed; Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Paul Lawrie, Johan Edfors, Robert Karlsson, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell,Y E Yang, Ross Fisher, Søren Kjeldsen, Francesco Molinari and Alvaro Quiros.
Schwartzel, a seven-time winner on The European Tour, said: “Winning the Masters is, of course, amazing and I am not sure it has quite sunk in yet. While I am savouring it right now, I really want to build on this victory and keep the momentum going for the rest of the season and see what else I can achieve.
“Securing my place in the Volvo World Match Play Championship is as a result of my win at the Masters and I am really looking forward to playing at Finca Cortesín for the first time. I have grown up watching and learning from Ernie Els over the years and his record at the World Match Play Championship is incredible and one I can only dream of emulating.
“It seems like all the big names in golf have won the World Match Play Championship over the years, and with the strength of the 2011 field it would be an amazing title to win.”
World Number 22 Retief Goosen said: “I am looking forward to checking back into Finca Cortesín and playing in the 2011 Volvo World Match Play Championship. I really enjoyed staying there in 2009 but wish I had gone further in the tournament. It is a really strong field this year and so I will be looking to be quick off the mark in my group matches to try and ensure I am there for the weekend.”
Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management Golf, added: “The field looks like being the most international and strongest ever and we are delighted to welcome the first Major winner of the year and a champion of the calibre of Retief to the field.”
On arrival at Finca Cortesín in May the players will be divided into eight groups of three players to be played out on Thursday and Friday with 16 players progressing to Saturday in a knock-out format, with the semis and final played on Sunday.
The prize fund for the 2011 Championship has increased to €3.4 million with a first prize of €800,000, the highest on the European Tour outside the Majors, World Golf Championship events and the Dubai World Golf Championship.
