Brier goes for double at Volvo China Open

Austrian Markus Brier will attempt to become the first man to successfully defend the Volvo China Open next month in a country which he holds great memories.

The 39-year-old Brier was victorious a year ago at Shanghai Silport Golf Club when he cruised to a comfortable five-stroke triumph. While he will make his title defence at a different venue, the Beijing CBD International Golf Club, from April 17-20, the Austrian is looking forward to his return to the Middle Kingdom.

“I remember that it was very exciting for 65 holes, but the last few holes I was really in a zone and because nobody was chasing me too hard, I was pretty relaxed. Coming down the last, it was wonderful to enjoy the victory as the fans were cheering me on,” said Brier.

A late bloomer in golf, Brier, who turned professional at the age of 27, said winning last year’s Volvo China Open was an achievement that he would always cherish in his life.

“As it was my first victory abroad, it was very important for me to prove that I can win everywhere in the world,” said Brier, whose first triumph was achieved on home soil.

“China has always been a good ground for me as I have played pretty well in many tournaments. To win in a country with over one billion people is very special. As golf in China is becoming bigger and bigger, to be a part of that growth feels very good.

“Over the last few years, golf in China has grown immensely and the (local) professional golfers have become a lot better. The speed of growth is unbelievable but I think that’s the way things are done in China. The courses are really good and in a few years, there will be a lot of good pros because the work with the youngsters looks very good.”

Brier built on last season’s victory at the Volvo China Open and subsequently motored his way to two other top-five finishes in Europe, which helped him end the 2007 season in 32nd place on the European Tour Order of Merit.

He has, however, endured a stuttering start to his campaign this year which saw him miss three cuts in the Middle East but Brier has stayed home in recent weeks to hone his game and prepare for a good title defence in Beijing.

“My confidence was very high after that win and in the following events, I finished fifth and second. All through the season, it was good and I ended up 32nd on the Order of Merit.

“But since the end of last year up till now, it has not been so good. I missed the cut in three straight events but now I had a few weeks of good practice, I feel prepared for the coming events,” said Brier.

As the first Austrian winner on the European Tour, Brier also harbours ambitions of becoming the first player from his country to play in the Ryder Cup but he knows that the road leading to Nick Faldo’s team will require him to win a couple of events this year.

“My main goal is to get into the top-50 in the World Ranking. The Ryder Cup is always in the back of my head, but like my other goal, I need to win a few tournaments for that,” said Brier.

This year’s Volvo China Open will see a 10 per cent hike in prize money to US$2.2 million. The Championship will once again be sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and China Golf Association.

Inaugurated in 1995, the Volvo China Open has never celebrated a two-time winner which Brier will aim to achieve next month.

March 25, 2008

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