The world-class 24-man field was divided into eight groups, named after golfing legends, and Volvo co-founders Gustaf Larson and Assar Gabrielsson. The top 16 players in the field on the Official World Golf Rankings were seeded and placed into their respective groups, with the first seed being paired with the 16th, the second with the 15th, and the other seeds following this same pattern.

With plenty of other stars and major champions being unseeded, there was an air of suspense at the draw as the final names were placed into their respective groups.

The Ian Woosnam group will certainly draw in the galleries as García and Quirós square up in the first contest of the group, before they both get the chance to take on Japan’s Tetsuji Heratsuka.

With one group named after Spanish hero and match play legend Seve Ballesteros; it simply had to be that another Spaniard, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, was drawn there alongside former world number one Martin Kaymer and Richard Finch.

With 13 different nationalities being represented at the beautiful and scenic Finca Cortesín, the potential for national rivalries to be played out on Thursday and Friday was definitely there.

Second seed Justin Rose, reigning Open Champion Darren Clarke, and Robert Rock will battle it out in the all-British Assar Gabrielsson group. With an international feel to this year’s tournament, that trio will certainly attract plenty of attention.

Volvo Grand Slam chaser Branden Grace is in the Mark McCormack group with Denmark’s Thomas Björn and US PGA Tour star Brandt Snedeker. Grace, winner of both January’s Volvo Golf Champions and last month’s Volvo China Open, will be hoping to celebrate his 24th birthday on Sunday in style.
“My expectations are the same as every week – I’m definitely going to try and win it. I think I’m playing well enough to get on top again this week, and it would be awesome to get the Volvo slam.”

The unpredictable and enthralling nature of match play golf leaves all the groups wide open. None more so than the Arnold Palmer group – where South Africa’s major champions Charl Schwartzel and Retief Goosen were drawn alongside 2011 Volvo China Open champion Nicolas Colsaerts.

With 2012 being a Ryder Cup year, both Graeme McDowell and Robert Karlsson, will be keen to advance from the Gustaf Larson group. McDowell, one of six major champions in the field, is regarded as a fine exponent of the match play format, while Karlsson is a match for anyone on his day. Jbe Kruger, winner of February’s Avantha Masters, will be doing all he can to stop the European pair advancing.

Meanwhile, Sweden’s Peter Hanson will be attempting to become the first Scandinavian to win the Volvo World Match Play Championship when he comes up against Paul Lawrie and Colombia’s flamboyantCamilo Villegas in the Greg Norman group. Hanson’s been in fine form of late, while Lawrie will want to celebrate his 500th European Tour event in style.

Defending champion Poulter will get the action underway on Thursday when he takes on Australia’sSenden. While the home crowds will be out in force for Garcia’s match up with Quiros later that day.

With so many stars in the field, playing in such an exciting format, there will be plenty of world class on show throughout the week.

The latest star players to commit to the 24-man elite field include home favourite Sergio García, a two-time winner in Spain last year, American star Brandt Snedeker, ranked 23rd in the world and making his playing debut in Spain and Colombia’s Camilo Villegas,a three-time winner on the US PGA Tour and returning to Finca Cortesín for the first time since 2009. They are joined by 2010 US Open Champion and World No.18, Graeme McDowell, Australia’s John Senden, ranked 31st on the Official World Golf Rankings, and 2011 Masters Champion and World No.13, Charl Schwartzelwho have all confirmed their entry into next month’s Championship.

Sergio Garcia, who will join his countrymen, Álvaro Quirós and Rafael Cabrera-Bello in trying to win their first Volvo World Match Play Championship title, is thrilled to have qualified. He explained, “It is tough to qualify for such an elite field so I am delighted to have won my place in the Volvo World Match Play field for next month. I am hitting the ball really well and the confidence is coming so I am looking forward to playing at Finca Cortesín very much. As everyone knows, I love match play and even more, I love playing in Spain in front of my home fans, so I think this will be a great week for me.”

Grace, now ranked 4th on the 2012 Race to Dubai, said after his Volvo China Open victory, “It’s just amazing and just shows you the standard of golf that I am playing right now. To have three wins on The European Tour at this stage of my career is awesome. This tournament is very prestigious and to have two Volvo titles is unbelievable. The two Volvo titles are huge and then the Joburg Open will always be very special as the first one in my career. Now I just have to go back to Europe and win the third Volvo title!”

Players already announced for the 47th edition of this historic event include defending Champion Ian Poulter, world number 10 Justin Rose, 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke, 2010 US PGA Champion Martin Kaymer, two-time US Open Champion Retief Goosen,1999 Open ChampionPaul Lawrie and 2010 Ryder Cup star Peter Hanson.

The Championship’s exciting format will see the players, divided into eight groups of three, play in a round-robin group format on Thursday and Friday. This will decide which 16 players progress to Saturday’s knock-out stage with the semi-finals and final played on Sunday.

Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management, added, “After an excellent week at the Volvo China Open and an extremely impressive performance by Branden Grace, we are now firmly focused on the Volvo World Match Play Championship and what an exciting field we are gathering for this year’s tournament. I look forward to revealing yet more confirmed players next week.”

Guy Kinnings Managing Director of IMG Golf, EMEA added, “I remember the days when Mark McCormack announced his eight invited players for the match play and there were many players who understandably felt greatly disappointed to be left out. Now we have a transparent qualification criteria developed with our partners, Volvo and the European Tour, ensuring that leading players from around the world have the chance to qualify for this historic event. With Race to Dubai, Ryder Cup and World Ranking points on offer as well as the kudos of some notable scalps on offer, we can’t wait for this world-class field to go head-to-head at the beautiful setting of Finca Cortesín.”

For more information please visit www.volvoingolf.com

About Volvo in Golf

In 1988, Volvo changed the face and fortunes of the European Tour and has been a pioneer in golf for many years, successfully using its high-profile events portfolio to position the premium brand and create sustainable business partnerships with clients passionate about the sport. Thanks to effective media exposure, millions around the world have seen the renowned blue brand on the tees, greens and fairways of the world.

Volvo Event Management is responsible for the in-house planning and management of the global golf sponsorship activity shared by Volvo Car Corporation and Volvo Group. Volvo Event Management is based in Gothenburg, Sweden and has a representative office in Hong Kong. Volvo Event Management currently has a portfolio of four events under its auspices.

The WGC is designed to give golfers of all skill levels the thrill of representing their country in a global championship. It was first held in 1995 and the location for the final changes every year. Arnold Palmer is the WGC’s Tournament Patron and Severiano Ballesteros was Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Board.

Last year over 1000 players competed in the various qualifying events held at La Cala Resort and other golf clubs throughoutSpainfor a place in the National Final in what is considered to be the World Golf Championship for amateurs. This year the national final will take place in La Cala on the 1st and 2nd of September. The winners in each of five handicap categories in the national final go on to representSpainin the international final inSouth Africa, with all expenses paid.

The captain of the Italian side was Lorenzo Dussoni fromRome. He was very impressed with the facilities at La Cala. “This is my first time in the resort and I think it is an ideal holiday location. It has everything: three good courses, hotel, spa, football pitch and it is near the sea. The landscape is typically Mediterranean, very natural and the views are stunning.” Paulo Pimentel from theBrazilside described the complex as “very beautiful and a great location”, while his team-mate, British ex-pat Tim Shooter, who lives inRio de Janeiro, said he really enjoyed the competition and the location. “Both courses were great as was the competition itself. There were six teams this year and I think more countries will want to participate as word spreads about how enjoyable it is.”

The best individual score was recorded by Juan Antonio Ruiz Batana ofSpain. The three handicapper shot rounds of 70 and 79 to lead his team to victory. Juan Antonio has representedSpainin the last two international finals inThailandandSouth Africa. He says he put his local knowledge to good effect. “I live locally so I know the courses here quite well. That is a definite advantage but they are still difficult, especially if it is windy. It was a very enjoyable two days of competition and nice to meet up again with players from other national teams.” There was a positive reaction from theCzechRepublicteam who appreciated the opportunity to play golf in lovely, sunny weather when courses in their home country are closed due to the winter weather.

Defending Champion, Ian Poulter, has confirmed he will defend his title at the 2012 Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesín, Spain, from May 17-20, 2012. The 2012 Championship will once again attract the world’s best golfers with the final 24 man field to be announced in the weeks after the conclusion of the US Masters.

Last year Poulter confirmed his reputation as one of golf’s most gutsy competitors as he capped a succession of comeback wins at the 2011 Volvo World Match Play Championship with victory, over current world number one, Luke Donald in the final at Finca Cortesín.

The final field of the 47th edition of this historic tournament looks set to match the unprecedented strength of the 2011 Championship. Repeating last year’s successfully amended format, on arrival at Finca Cortesín the players will be divided into eight groups of three players to be play in a round-robin group format on Thursday and Friday to decide which 16 players progress to Saturday’s knock-out stage with the semi-finals and final played on Sunday.

Defending Champion, Ian Poulter, is eager to play in what will be the first event back on European soil after the Masters and the most highly-prized golf event in Spain in 2012. He explained, “I can’t wait to return to Spain to defend my title at the Volvo World Match Play Championship. I love the cut and thrust of match play and find it a refreshing change from the usual stroke play format we play week in and week out on the Tour.  I am also very excited be heading back to stay at the luxurious Finca Cortesín Hotel once again and all the wonderful hospitality and services they have on offer as it is definitely one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed in.”

Poulter continued, “With the fact that it’s a Ryder Cup year, I think it will be even more exciting this year with every match from the group stages to the final a chance for aspiring team members to impress Captain Olazábal in what is our final chance to play match play before Medinah.”

Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management, added, “It is wonderful to hear our reigning Champion will be returning to Finca Cortesín to defend his title and to hear his enthusiasm for the Championship. We are coming up to a very exciting time on the golf calendar and it will be fascinating to see what the US Masters and of course the winner of the Volvo China Open will bring in terms of the final field. We are very happy that our changes to the qualification and format of this historic event have enhanced the tournament in many ways and that so many top players are anxious to earn their place in this elite field.”

Guy Kinnings, Global Co-Managing Director of IMG Golf, concluded, “Last year we made some significant changes to the date, format and qualification criteria and we feel they did much to improve this great event, started by IMG’s Founder Mark McCormack in 1964. Many observers thought the 2011 tournament was one of the most exciting in its long history. The player’s feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and once again we look set to assemble another world class field for this year’s Championship. Working with our partners Volvo, Finca and the European Tour we look forward to another exciting edition of the Volvo World Match Play Championship.”

Vicente Rubio, Managing Director Finca Cortesín said, “We are really looking forward to the return of the Volvo World Match Play Championship and to once again hosting a world class field of players, including our 2011 Champion at Finca Cortesín in May. The players have always been very generous in their kind comments about Finca Cortesín and we aim to make it an even better experience for them this year. All our preparations are going well and the course is in fantastic shape and we are sure that everyone will enjoy the week as much as they did last year and in 2009.”

The 25 year old South African looked to be coasting towards the title when, having shaken off the challenge of Spain’s José Manuel Lara, he stood on the 17th tee with a three shot lead.

However, he overcooked his approach and failed to get up and down, the resulting bogey his first for 46 holes.

A wayward drive at the last then struck a camera, and his second went left in to trees, but faced with a daunting third over the water Kruger displayed nerves of steel to stick his approach to ten feet.

He missed the resulting birdie putt, but par was good enough for a round of 69 and 14 under par total at DLF Golf & Country Club.

That was two better than Spain’s Jorge Campillo, whose 67 was the joint-best effort of the day, and German Marcel Siem – who had a sniff of a chance at the last until his third found the bunker, the resulting par leaving him with a 70.

Lara and Australian Marcus Fraser shared fourth on 11 under, two-time winner Lara finding water at the final hole to sink his chances after a brilliant outward 32 had given him a share of the lead.

“I’m very relieved to win for the first time,” said Kruger, who putted beautifully all week. “If you want to win you need to make putts on the final day and I did that today.

“It’s a big relief now that I’ve won but I think I needed all those second-placed finishes to be able to appreciate it. There was no pressure even when I made my only bogey of the day on the 17th.

“I felt that victory was inevitable when I got to the 14th hole. I knew that I had a good chance as I had a comfortable three-shot cushion then. I like to know what’s going on and I’m aware of the movements on the leaderboard.”

Earlier a red-hot putter moved Lara into contention as the 34 year old holed 15 foot birdie putts at the first and third, before curling in a monster 60 footer at the fifth.
Overnight leader Kruger responded with a birdie at the fourth from 12 feet, and both gained a shot on the long sixth, before Lara almost holed-in-one at the par three eighth, leaving a tap-in birdie.

Kruger holed a birdie putt from 20 feet at the eighth to enter the back nine with a one shot lead, and the decisive fourth birdie of the day followed at the par three 11th.

Lara was struggling from the tee by this point, and although he scrambled pars at the ninth, tenth and 12th, he caught a flyer on the 13th and his 25 foot par putt finished a fraction short to leave Kruger three clear.

Lara found water at the last, allowing Campillo snatch a share of second with a chip-in birdie on the same hole, while Siem – fourth last week in Dubai – had six birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey, the highlight coming when the 31 year old struck his approach from the rough to five feet to set up a birdie at the first.

“I started really well and the whole time was up there on the leaderboard,” said Challenge Tour graduate Campillo, who holed a 30 footer on the eighth to complete a hattrick of gains.

“So it was great fun and very exciting. I just tried to play my best. I played okay on the back nine, not great, but I didn’t make many mistakes and I chipped in on the last for birdie so it was nice to finish strongly.

“It was just very exciting. I knew I was playing well and all of a sudden after eight holes I’m up at the top of the leaderboard. It’s the first time I’ve been in that situation and I think I handled it pretty well. Next time this happens maybe I can just do slightly better on the back nine.”

There was disappointment for Scotland’s Peter Whiteford, however. Chasing his maiden European Tour title, the Scot was only one behind overnight, but eagle-eyed viewers alerted European Tour Chief Referee John Paramor to an incident on the 18th fairway during the third round.

Whiteford’s ball moved fractionally after he had addressed it, and having already signed for an incorrect score he was informed of his disqualification upon reaching the fourth tee.

Korda started well but faded to post a one-over 74 for Sunday, forcing her into a playoff with compatriots Stacy Lewis and Brittany Linicome, South Korean pair So Yeon Ryu and Hee Kyung Seo and Paraguay’s Julieta Granada after they all finished with overall scores of three-under-par.

Every player made par on the first playoff hole, before a birdie on the second sealed victory for the 18-year-old Korda.

After three birdies from the first eight holes, Korda looked likely to cruise to victory.

But disaster struck on the par four ninth, when she produced a double-bogey, and four more bogeys on the back nine followed, leaving her with a score of 74.
Lewis – who was the tournament co-leader after day one – was the best performed player over the 18 holes of regulation play, with four birdies seeing her shoot 70, while Lincicome and Granada both finished with 71.

Both Ryu and Seo finished with an even-par score of 73 while fellow South Korean Jenny Shin finished at two-under in outright seventh.

American Katie Futcher and world number one Yani Tseng – who won the Australian Open in 2010 and 2011 – were a shot further back in a tie for eighth.

Nikki Campbell and Sarah Kemp were the best of the Australians, both finishing at one-over in a tie for 12th.

The tense nature of the playoff did not seem to affect the players, who all made par on the first hole and looked relatively comfortable.

Lewis lipped out in her attempt to win it on the first playoff hole but it was Korda who stole the show with a tremendous birdie putt on the second.

Korda – who is the daughter of 1998 Australian Open tennis champion Petr – becomes the first American to win the tournament since Debbie Austin’s triumph at the Manly Golf Club in 1978.

One behind Lee Westwood overnight, the 27 year old Spaniard – whose only previous European Tour victory came at the 2009 Austrian Golf Open – carded a bogey free 68 to reach 18 under and triumph by a solitary stroke.

Three of Cabrera-Bello’s birdies, including a crucial three on the 17th, came on the back nine as his rivals struggled to make headway in breezy conditions.

Westwood, who had led by two strokes this morning following a superb eagle at the second but struggled to find his best form on the greens, and Stephen Gallacher shared second place after respective rounds of 70 and 69. Both men missed putts to force a play-off on the 18th.

Westwood has now finished as runner-up in this event on three occasions, yet he does have the small consolation of taking the World Number Two spot back off Rory McIlroy – by 0.004 ranking points.

Cabrera-Bello, the first round leader courtesy of a scintillating 63, becomes the third Spaniard in succession to have triumphed in Dubai, following Miguel Angel Jiménez in 2010 and Alvaro Quiros in 2011.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling and it’s been a really spectacular week for me,” said Cabrera-Bello, remembering that he began it with nine birdies in 11 holes.

“With so many big, big names I felt really proud of myself. I wanted to fight, I stayed calm, I did everything that I’ve read we should do in these type of situations.

“I really, really feel happy and proud that my name is going to be written down on the same trophy as (Seve) Ballesteros and (José María) Olazábal and Jiménez and my great friend, Alvaro.

“It’s a really amazing feeling for me to be a little bit a part of the same history they are.”

Elaborating on the pride he felt, Cabrera-Bello added: “I’m just happy that I was able to win and I was even happier to get a win in a very prestigious event.

“Not just with Lee, whom I admire a lot, but also with all of the big names that were up there contending, like Rory, like Martin (Kaymer), the other guys that came up, like Stephen, like myself, they are all really, really good players.

“Just the fact that I was able today to be successful just proves to me that I’m working on the right line. It gives me a lot of confidence that I have proven to myself that I can perform at least one week as good as themselves. It’s just a huge, huge confidence and huge morale boost.”

“This will open a lot of doors and this was really the quality jump in my game I was looking for, and I had been practising hard for it.”

Gallacher reflected on his near miss with mixed emotions.

“I would have loved to have made the play-off,” said the Scot. “But fair play to Rafa, he played well, and 18 under is a good score in these conditions.

“I struggled a bit off the tee today but I hit a lot of good iron shots and made a few putts at the right time. But I had a chance to sort of get into the play-off on the last, so (I’m) just a wee bit disappointed but happy overall.”

McIlroy – the 2009 champion – dropped out of contention early on, but picked up four shots on the way home to claim a share of fifth on 14 under, one behind Germany’s Marcel Siem.

Alongside McIlroy were Denmark’s Søren Kjeldsen, whose 67 featured six birdies, Scotland’s Scott Jamieson and South Africa’s George Coetzee.

Kaymer, who began the day two adrift of Westwood on 13 under, may have realised it wasn’t going to be his day when he missed presentable birdie chances on each of the first three holes. Although he did pick up a shot on the short fourth, he went on to sign for a 74 that left him in a tie for 13th.