This week, Lee, who remains in top spot in the Race to Dubai and 5th in World Ranking is in Spain for the Volvo World Match Play at Finca Cortesin GC, Casares. Lee won the title, as Cisco Match Play in 2000 but does not count as a European Tour win.
This is a European Tour approved, special event, therefore the winner, who will receive €750,000, will receive only €541,667 as points available to the Race to Dubai.
According to the European Tour website, the new format will see the 16-man field divided into four groups of four players, seedings based upon their Official World Golf Ranking and will be played as follows:
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY:
Within groups of four, every player will play each other in a round robin format over full 18-hole matches. (NB. Each match will complete 18 holes every time).
Points will be awarded based upon win, tie or loss. The leading player from each group will qualify for the semi-final knock out stage. (Aggregate number of holes won will be used to determine tied positions). See Draw
SATURDAY
Semi-finals played over 36 holes in head-to-head match play.
Semi-final winners will progress to the Volvo World Match Play Championship Final.
Semi-final losers will contest the Volvo World Match Play Championship Consolation Match.
SUNDAY
The Volvo World Match Play Championship Final will be played over 36 holes in head-to-head match play.
The Volvo World Match Play Championship Consolation Match will be played over 18 holes in head-to head-match play.
Singh on song in Lee's first match...
Lee played on Thursday against Jeev Mikha Singh at 12.55. Singh took the lead at the first hole, won the 3rd when Lee made bogey and birdied 4 and 5 to go 4-up. Singh won the 7th when Lee made bogey and won the match at the last hole when he went 6-up with a birdie, and Lee only managed bogey.
Lee beats Fisher in his second match
On Friday Lee played against against Ross Fisher at 08.35. Fisher took the lead at the 1st hole when he made birdie, but it was back to A/S when Lee birdied the next. Both players birdied the 3rd but Lee took the lead at the next with a birdie and went 2-up with an eagle at the par-5 5th. Fisher won the 8th hole and the match was back to A/S when Lee bogeyed 9 and Fisher made a birdie. Lee took the lead again at 11, when Fisher bogeyed the hole, then birdied 14 to go 2-up. It was back to 1-up at 15 when Lee bogeyed the hole, but 2-up again when Fisher bogeyed the next. Lee went 3-up when he birdied 17, but Fisher birdied 18, with Lee winning the match 2-up.
Final Match All-Square
In the final match between Lee and Camilo Villegas, Lee won the opening hole, then it was back to A/S at the next when he bogeyed 2. Villegas picked up the 3rd hole with a birdie, then Lee did the same at the 4th and the match was back to A/S. Lee's birdie was beaten by Villegas' eagle at the 5th, for Camilo to go 1-up, then 2-up as Lee bogeyed the 7th. Villegas won the next two holes (8 and 9) with birdies, to go 4-up. Lee won the next with a par, and the 11th with a birdie, to remain 2-down, then Villegas lost the 12th with a bogey to remain 1-up, but not for long, when Lee birdied 14 to go all-square. Villegas took the lead again when Lee could only manage par at 15. The match was back to A/S when Lee birdied the 17th. With it all resting on the last hole, Lee was left with an eagle putt, which was sadly short, and the points were split between the two players.
The qualifier from Lee's group to play in the Saturday semi-final is Ross Fisher, who won the event on Sunday.
Lee, who finished in 9th place added €63,375 to his Race to Dubai earnings and remains in top spot with €2,305,315.
