Casey Wins Volvo Golf Champions

Paul Casey wins Volvo

Darren Clarke's challenge slipped away on Sunday in round that closed with a double bogey at the par  four 18th at The Royal Golf Club in Bahrain fora score of of 73 ending his challenge on 14 under and  share of 8th place.

The remaining three Irish challengers all carded rounds of 70 also with Harrington and Peter Lawrie the best with one under but both carding double bogeys on the par three 16th.

Michel Hoey signed for a 77 after two double  bogeys and a triple on the par four15th.

But for Paul Casey is was all better news as he came through what he called "one of the toughest battles I've ever had" to end 20 months without a victory.

The Englishman sank a closing six foot par putt to take the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions on the Colin Montgomerie-designed Royal Golf Club course in Bahrain.

After an amazing 23 changes at the top of the leader board on the final day, Casey came to the 429 yard last level with Swede Peter Hanson.

Montgomerie had tipped Hanson - "probably Europe's most improved player" - to lift the trophy, but he went from rough to sand, then missed from ten feet and with a bogey five dropped into a tie for second with Miguel Angel Jiménez.

Casey, at ninth in the Official World Golf Ranking the highest player in the field, said: "It feels fantastic - the most important thing to me is winning and that was huge.

"The goal is obviously the Majors, but how are you going to win Major Championships if you can't win regular events?"

He grabbed the €283,329 first prize with a four under par 68 and 20 under total of 268.

Third on the Official World Golf Ranking before he tore a rib muscle practising for the 2009 Open Championship, Casey moves back into the top six and will be fifth if Phil Mickelson finishes worse than second in San Diego later in the day. That would also mean an incredible four Europeans in the top five - Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell remaining first, second and fourth.

"I'm going in the right direction," he added.

Course-record rounds of 63 from Dane Søren Kjeldsen and England's Richard Finch flattered to deceive in the desert because by the time the leaders came to the back nine a strong wind had picked up.

"We thought it was going to be benign, but we faced a course that was treacherous," said Casey.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, Hanson's compatriot Johan Edfors and South African James Kingston all slipped up after holding at least a share of the lead, Clarke having bogey sixes on both the ninth and 13th and finishing with a double bogey.

Casey got his nose in front with an 18 foot birdie putt on the 15th, but had his only bogey of the last two rounds on the next.

Jiménez's chances were alive again when he birdied the last and Hanson bogeyed it, but Casey kept his nerve and got up and down from the rough by the green to squeeze home.

"I was lucky to have a putt to win. Peter was phenomenal and didn't make any mistakes really until the last."

Not quite true. Hanson was also left to rue a missed three footer on the long 14th.

Scotland's Stephen Gallacher took fourth place and Swede Robert Karlsson, the defending champion in Qatar this coming week, came fifth.

Volvo Golf Champions Result

Looking Like a Close Finish at Volvo

Peter Hanson

A 20 foot eagle putt on the third gave Ryder Cup Swede Peter Hanson the advantage on the final day of the Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain.

Hanson and England's Paul Casey shared the overnight lead, but they were overtaken by Northern Irishman Darren Clarke and South African James Kingston before Hanson struck back.

He moved to 18 under par, while Casey's four opening pars dropped him to fifth place with Spain's Miguel Angel Jiménez joining Clarke and Kingston on 17 under.

Earlier Dane Søren Kjeldsen and England's Richard Finch achieved new course-record scores of 63.

Jiménez had also eagled the third and by turning in 32 and then grabbing his third birdie of the day on the tenth he moved one in front at 19 under.

Casey and Hanson joined him with birdies at the long ninth, however, Casey helped by a real stroke of luck. His second shot flew wildly right, but finished in ground under repair and he was able to move it from sand back onto grass.

Clarke duffed two chips at the same hole for a bogey six that left him three adrift.

It was advantage Hanson again when he converted a nine foot chance on the short 12th.

Casey came back with a birdie at the long next, but playing partner Hanson matched it and was 21 under par to Casey's 20 under, while Jiménez was two back.

Volvo Golf Champions Leader board

Clarke and Casey Pro-Am Winners

In a momentous day on The European Tour on Saturday, amateurs enjoyed their day in the sun, playing with the professionals in the Volvo Golf Champions Amateur Pro Team Competition.

When the dust had settled, Kevin Aherne from Volvo Car UK drove off with the amateur prize, whilst Darren Clarke and Paul Casey, his playing partners on the day, both won a Volvo S60 for their contribution to the team triumph.

“That was quite simply the most memorable day of my golfing life,” said Aherne (53), adding, “I was playing with two legends of the game, both true gentlemen and this day cannot be bettered on a golf course.”

Team Casey, Clarke and Aherne finished tied with Rodney Louison representing Qatar, Christian Nilsson and David Horsey on 16-under-par, but won because Casey and Clarke had the better professional score.

Retired Aherne, who plays his golf at Woburn, home club also of top European Tour professional Ian Poulter added, “We have been treated like royalty, you can’t describe it and I’m going to buy a Volvo now.”

Said world number eight Casey, “I wasn’t sure how this was going to go down,” adding, “We had a blast,” adding, “Clarkey and I, we really enjoyed it.”

Added Clarke, “We had really good fun today with Kevin, our amateur partner, he really enjoyed it and both Paul and I played nicely, so, all in all, it was a very good day.”

Commenting on the occasion, Per Ericsson, President, Volvo Event Management – Golf said, “First of all, I salute all the amateurs for their courage and skill and congratulate the winning team of Paul [Casey], Darren [Clarke] and Kevin [Aherne] who looked to be having a great time out there.”

He continued, “We care just as much about our amateur golfers as we do about the professionals and it was nice to be able to bring the two sides of the game together under one competition,” adding, “I think the amateurs’ caddies, all of them Royal Golf Club members performed amazingly well and supported our amateurs so well, whilst the galleries were very generous towards both professionals and amateurs.”

The third podium place was taken by the threesome of Stephen Gallacher, James Kingston and Martin Figeroa, who came all the way from Chile, one shot back, with Thomas Björn, Oliver Wilson and amateur Patrik Thelin representing Volvo Trucks, Sweden.

The inaugural Volvo Golf Champions concludes today, followed by the World Final of the Volvo World Golf Challenge over the Montgomerie Course at the Royal Golf Club on Monday and Tuesday.

Clarke Within Close Sight of Leaders

Darren Clarke fired five birdies on Saturday at The Royal Golf Club in Bahrain to sign for an error free round of 67 to remain within one stroke of the new leaders going into Sunday at the Volvo Golf Champions and in share of third place with James Kingston of South Africa.

Paul Casey justified his position as the highest-ranked player in the field by moving into a share of the lead alongside Peter Hanson, using his power to eagle and birdie the two par fives on the back nine.

He was on the green in two at both of them and the World Number Nine shot a third round 66 to join Ryder Cup Swede Hanson on 16 under par.

Victory for the Englishman could make it four Europeans in the top five on the Official World Golf Ranking with Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell currently first, second and fourth.

"It was fun," said Casey. "I had good control of the ball for the first time this week and drove it very nicely.

"It was only one shot lower than the first two days, but a lot more comfortable and probably should have been lower." He missed from under six feet on the last.

Casey failed to retain his Ryder Cup spot last year, and went through the season without a win in either Europe or America.

"It's difficult,” he added. “I'm playing in the best events in the world and I do need to step it up, but I'm not worried about it."

Hanson, one of four halfway leaders, shot a second successive 67 to go with his opening 66 as he and Casey took a one stroke advantage over Clarke and Kingston.

An eagle on the ninth for the second day running was the obvious highlight for Hanson. 

It followed birdies on the two previous holes and then came a 35 foot putt for another at the 11th.

"I had high expectations in Abu Dhabi last week, but then went down with the 'flu," he stated. 

"I still have a bit of a cough, but no fever and I'm very happy how I'm playing.

"It's going to be a tough day, though, and it's all about trying to make as many birdies as you can."

Clarke led the way after an opening 32, but then reeled off eight pars in a row before boosting his hopes of a 13th European Tour title with a closing 14 foot birdie putt.

The 42 year old is working on a putting tip from Ryder Cup Captain José Maria Olazábal and commented: "It's definitely been an awful lot better.

"Even the ones I miss have been quality strokes, which is a pleasant change. José Maria told me it would take a while.

"Miguel Angel Jiménez was back with a putter in his bag after breaking one into two pieces during a second round moment of anger, but it did not do him much good.

Jiménez made three birdies using a lob-wedge instead, but from a 65 and a share of the second round lead he slipped back to fifth spot with a 69.

Round of the day was a course record-equalling 64 from 2004 Open Championship winner Todd Hamilton. 

He had made the cut with only a shot to spare and still had five strokes to make up.

Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington went in the opposite direction with 73s - they are seven under and five under - and Colin Montgomerie remained three under with a 72.

Michale Hoey was 7nunder after a,ri8nd of 68.

Peter Lawrie was one under for the day and 3 over par overall in a tie for 56th place.

Leader board Round 3

Unique 3rd Day Format for Volvo

There will be a unique new playing format in place for today’s third round of the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions at The Royal Golf Club in Bahrain as the Volvo World Golf Challenge takes to the fairways.

For the first time, one amateur will play with the two professionals in live play with a Volvo S60 on offer for each of the professionals in the winning team.

The two best net scores of the three players in each group will count towards the team score while, obviously, the professionals will keep their own cards to count towards the third round of the Volvo Golf Champions itself. The amateur will receive a handicap allowance of two thirds of their full handicap, up to a maximum of 18 for men and 24 for women.

This is a one off occurrence, with the professionals only returning inside the ropes on Sunday to complete the fourth and final round of the Volvo Golf Champions.

Round 3 tee times

Edoardo Molinari Makes Move

Edoardo Molinari birdied his first six holes to grab the second round lead away from his brother Francesco at the Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain.

Resuming only joint 14th after an opening four under par 68, the older of The Ryder Cup Italians raced to ten under, two ahead of Francesco and overnight pacesetter Johan Edfors.

The European Tour record is eight birdies in a row, but 29 year old Edoardo parred the short 16th to end his run.

Francesco, meanwhile, produced matching birdies on the 11th and 12th to keep alive the possibility of another shoot-out between the pair. He was a playing partner on the last when his brother won both the Barclays Scottish Open and Johnnie Walker Championship last season.

Edfors, who set the course record with his 64, was among the day's later starters, but Padraig Harrington improved from two under to four under by picking up strokes at the 13th and 17th.

Edfors 64 as Harrington struggles

Peter Lawrie

Dream start for Edfors as Harrington struggles - The Irish Times - Fri, Jan 28, 2011

Lawrie Four off Bahrain Leader

Johan Edfors sets course record in Bahrain

Peter Lawrie was the best of the Irish quintet at the Volvo Golf Champions on Thursday after a four under par 68 at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain and trails the leader by four shots. 

Johan Edfors of Sweden set the pace at the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain with an eight under par 64 and leads by two from compatriot Peter Hanson, his Ryder Cup team-mate Francesco Molinari, England's Graeme Storm and Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal. 

Sergio Garcia is just one further back after a bogey-free start to his season and Paul Casey - the highest-ranked player in the field at ninth in the world - also shot 67. 

Edfors, married last month, won three times in 2006, but has failed to add to his tally in more than 100 European Tour events since then. However, he took advantage of the calmer early conditions with nine birdies, his only mistake coming on the short 16th. 

After establishing the record mark for the new European Tour venue, he said: "My iron play was really superb and I had a bunch of chances from around 15 feet. 

"I think I am a lot better player than five years ago, but the results have not really shown that.” 

Storm missed the cut by one in Abu Dhabi, and said: "I've done a lot of gym work trying to get the body in the right shape to get the swing in the right place. 

"When the EGU (English Golf Union) said you need to get fit I just laughed at them, but I wish I'd listened - I wouldn't be having the shoulder problem I've had because I'd be more flexible. 

"The Tour physio guys are probably sick of the sight of me and I've only been out for a week." 

Big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros also made nine birdies, but trips to the water on both the 18th and seventh cost him double bogeys and that added up to a five under 67. 

Quiros was playing with Garcia and talented Italian teenager Matteo Manassero and they all finished on the same mark as Casey. 

Casey matched the front-nine 31 by Edfors thanks to a closing eagle, and he stated: "The 258 yard five wood was the best swing I made all day. 

"There were times when I wasn't sure I would shoot under par, so it was just a wonderful way to finish." 

For Garcia, now down at 80th in the Official World Golf Ranking, it was his best score on The European Tour for just over 12 months. He began 2010 with rounds of 66-67 in Abu Dhabi, but they proved a false dawn as he did not manage a top-three finish all year. 

Manassero, still three months away from his 18th birthday, became The European Tour's youngest ever winner in Spain last October and his day was spoiled only by a missed 18 inch putt on the first. 

Colin Montgomerie became a victim of his own course design at the 408 yard fifth, going from the desert into a hazard and running up a triple bogey seven in his 72. 

Darren Clarke was three under for the day after signing for a 69. 

Padraig Harrington was one shot further adrift after an opening round of 70. 

Michael Hoey was level par for the day carding a 72. 

Damien McGrane signed for a three over par 75 and with work to do to avoid the cut on Friday.

Round 1 Leaderboard

Edfors Holds Early Lead

Johan Edfors

Sweden's Johan Edfors, who has played more than 100 European Tour events without adding to his three wins in 2006, set the pace at the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions in Bahrain with nine birdies in an eight under par 64 for an early two shot lead over compatriot Peter Hanson, who still had four holes to play, and Spain's Pablo Larrazabal.

The only mistake made by Edfors came on the short 16th - his seventh - but he was already three under when that happened and he came straight back with another birdie.

More fireworks came on the front nine, which he covered in 31 and completed with back-to-back birdies.

"I think I am a lot better player than five years ago, but the results have not really shown that," he said.

"It's all up to where they put the flags here. I had a bunch of chances from around 15 feet and holed a few of them."

Big-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros also made nine birdies, but trips to the water on both the 18th and seventh cost him double bogeys and that added up to a five under 67.

Quiros was playing with Sergio Garcia and talented teenager Matteo Manassero and they finished on the same mark.

Garcia, now down at 80th in the Official World Golf Ranking, is making his first start of the season and his bogey-free score was his best on The European Tour for just over a year.

The 31 year old started 2010 with rounds of 66-67 in Abu Dhabi, but they proved a false dawn. He did not have a top three finish all year in either Europe or America.

Manassero, still three months away from his 18th birthday, became The European Tour's youngest winner in Spain last October and his day was spoilt only by a missed 18 inch putt on the first.

Colin Montgomerie became a victim of his own course design at the 408 yard fifth, going from the desert into a hazard and running up a triple-bogey seven.

Last year's Ryder Cup Captain finished with a level par 72, but will probably need to improve on that to survive to the weekend.

Padraig Harrington, disqualified in Abu Dhabi last week, and Ian Poulter, who missed the cut there, were among the later starters, while Paul Casey, at ninth in the world the top-ranked player in the field, was three under after 16 despite a double bogey at the 17th.