Last years winner Charl Schwartzel (different course) is fav here and also holds the record jointly of -9 for the first 18 holes at this course the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla,was his only win last season and has yet to fire this year 7th in Portugal last time out.
Second fav Niclas Fasth did win this event in
Spain in 2006 and is a talented golfer highlighted by his best placed 5th last season in the order of merit
Third fav Jothan Edfors won three times in 2006 but 2007 was forgetable for him which saw him slump from 10th in 2006 to 67th in 2007.
Darren Clarke last weeks winner in Asia is avaliable at 28's if he really is back on track could be value,but he did finish last weeks tournie with a 73.
Monty is 40's for this event which he doesnt seem to care to much for as he has generally avoided with only one apperence in 2006 since 2000 were he finished t-28th at Valle Romano.
Course Information
Course
Opened – 1992
Course Designer – Jose Maria Olazabal
Special Features - Good well balanced course providing a good test for players
General Playability -
Undulating/ flat - quite flat
Tree lined/exposed - Palm trees and fir trees in abundance.
Many / few water hazards - Water hazards in play on holes 3,6,9,14,16 & 18
Changes to the course - The Course was toughened for 2004 World Cup but no changes since then.
Greens
Type of grass - POA BENT (Penn cross)
Height of cut - 3 mm
Speed/stimp reading – 11.6 Tuesday morning
Any specific comments –
Fairways
Type of grass – Bermuda 419 over seeded with Rye Grass
Height of cut – 8mm
General width and contouring – 25-30 yards in average
Any specific comments - Not much bounce on fairways due to heavy rain prior to tournament week
Tees
Type of grass – Bermuda 419 over seeded with Rye Grass
Height of cut - 8 mm
Any specific comments - No
Collars
Type of grass - Bermuda 419 over seeded with Rye Grass
Height of cut – 8 mm
Any specific comments - No
Rough
Type of grass – Bermuda 419 over seeded with Rye Grass
Semi-rough - Height of cut – 25mm
Intermediate Height of cut – 64mm
Rough - Height of cut – 100mm
Any specific comments – The rough is very consistent and penal.
Weather
In advance – Heavy rain (up to 150 mm) 2-3 weeks before the event.
Forecast for tournament – Sunny and calm
Other Features
The rough is very thick therefore accuracy off the tee will be very important