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Stenson, Van de Velde join Volvo China field

Sweden's Henrik Stenson, touted as the next "special one" from Europe, and a revitalised Frenchman Jean Van De Velde will join the race for the Volvo China Open crown next week.

Stenson, ranked 12th in the world, has signed up for the prestigious US$1.8 million event at Beijing Honghua Golf Club from April 13-16 where he will certainly start as a firm favourite to lift the title of the co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event.

The 30-year-old Swede has emerged as one of the brightest stars from the Continent where he won the Qatar Masters earlier this year and was also third at The Players Championship in Florida last month, an event billed as the unofficial fifth major of the world.

The powerful Swede, whose prodigious length makes him an exciting player to watch, is making his debut at the US Masters this week and could well arrive at the Volvo China Open as the new Masters champion.

It would also be appropriate for Stenson to triumph in the Open championship of the world's most populous nation as his peers have predicted great things from the super Swede. England's Paul Broadhurst, who has gone head-to-head with Stenson, said: "He's the next special one I think from Europe. He's got a lot of chances of winning majors and stuff, he's next in the line."

Stenson, currently second on the European Tour Order of Merit, is relishing his rise to fame as he prepares for his debut at the Volvo China Open, which was inaugurated in 1995. He is hoping to emulate Stephen Dodd (2004) and Paul Casey (2005) who won the prestigious title in their debut appearance.

"I enjoy playing with the best players in the world and I seem to do pretty well when I do so and I just want to be up there in the big events and see how I do. I have taken some big steps in the world rankings and so I am going to try and keep on improving," said the Swede, who is a three-time winner in Europe.

The dashing Van De Velde will also take a crack at the Volvo China Open and will arrive at the Chinese capital in good form after ending his 13-year winless drought at the Madeira Island Open two weeks ago.

Best remembered for his collapse at the 1999 British Open when he threw away a three shot lead at the final hole and subsequently lost in a play-off, Van De Velde's return to the winner's circle ended fears of his career suffering from a premature end due to a knee injury.

The Frenchman was delighted to earn his winner's exemption for two years. "Last year I was blessed to get my card back and this year I'm blessed to have it for another two years. It gives you a lot of oxygen to breathe and I can now take weeks off if my knee gives me too much trouble."

Another Swede, Johan Edfors will be shooting to make it two out of two in China after lifting the TCL Classic on Hainan island in March. Edfors will be amongst the young stars from Europe who will be looking to eclipse the likes of title holder Paul Casey, former British Open champion Paul Lawrie and Nick Dougherty.

England's Oliver Wilson, who lost in a play-off to Casey last November, will tee it up in Beijing after receiving a sponsor's invitation as with young compatriot Ross Fisher, who has also sparkled this season with three top-10s. Fisher, playing in his rookie year in Europe, was the third round leader in the Volvo China Open last November before finishing tied fourth.

Other sponsor's invitees include former Volvo China Open champions Kyi Hla Han of Myanmar, Australian David Gleeson and China's Chen Jun, South Africa's Nico Van Rensburg and India's Amandeep Johl, who was part of Asia's victorious team in the Visa Dynasty Cup over Japan last year.

Former European Ryder Cup team members Barry Lane of England, Ignacio Garrido of Spain and Welshman Phillip Price will be amongst the European stalwarts heading to Asia next week.

April 6, 2006