The Ultimate Grand Finale
16/09/08
With Team Europe captain Nick Faldo the first-ever Volvo Masters champion back in 1988 and five of his charges following in his footsteps by winning the end-of-season showpiece, it’s a case of ‘good luck’ to both teams as the 21st and final Volvo Masters will welcome the European contingent back to Valderrama, win, lose or draw.
As the high-drama of the 37th Ryder Cup approaches and Team Europe seeking an unprecedented fourth successive victory over the USA in the bi-annual showdown of golfing cultures, no fewer than five former Volvo Masters champions are at the heart of Nick Faldo’s star-studded team to play at Valhalla from 19th – 21st September.
The roll-call of Volvo Masters champions representing Team Europe at Valhalla six-weeks ahead of the Valderrama curtain-call is reigning champion and Ryder Cup debutant Justin Rose, two-time Open Championship winner Padraig Harrington (2001), Lee Westwood (1997), Ian Poulter (2004) and local hero Miguel Angel Jiménez, who won the Volvo Masters in 1999.
Says Per Ericsson, President & CEO of Volvo Event Management, “As a global brand and one with a strong golf heritage, Volvo is entirely independent when it comes to the Ryder Cup and wishes both teams, ‘good luck;’ the Ryder Cup is one of the greatest spectacles in world sport and this year at Valhalla will be no different.
“Of course, Team Europe is heavily influenced by reigning and past Volvo Masters champions, something we are rightly proud about, but Team USA is also very strong despite the absence through injury of Tiger Woods.
“May the best team win, and, win, lose or draw, we will welcome Team Europe ‘home’ to the Volvo Masters at Valderrama from 30th October – 2nd November,” says the man who heads-up Volvo’s award-winning golf division.
Speaking at last year’s 20th anniversary Volvo Masters, Spanish star Miguel Angel Jiménez, a vice-captain to Seve Ballesteros when Europe retained the Ryder Cup at Valderrama in 1997 and makes his third playing appearance this year paid tribute to the part played by Volvo in helping Europe turn the tables on the USA in recent years.
“When Volvo became the first overall sponsor of the European Tour in 1988 and thanks to their long-term backing with events such as the Volvo PGA Championship and the Volvo Masters, the Volvo Order of Merit and innovations such as courtesy cars and players’ lounges, it is no coincidence that the fortunes of Team Europe began to change.”
Adds the man from Malaga, “Generous prize money and, more importantly, tough and in-depth competition week-in, week-out helped harden European players and move them onto the next level where European players could win Majors and important tournaments all over the world.
“It also meant, crucially, that we were able to take on the Americans with confidence and win in their own back yard.”
The 37th Ryder Cup takes place at Valhalla Golf Club, Kentucky, USA from 19th – 21st September, six weeks before the 21st Volvo Masters at Valderrama, Andalucia, Spain from 30th October – 2nd November 2008.
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