The Volvo World Match Play Championship returns to the Costa del Sol's Finca Cortesin, 17 - 20 May

Costa del Sol, Costa del Golf… and true to its name, the Coast is hosting the only match play event to be held in Europe this season – and one of the most prestigious of tournaments. Just outside Casares, roughly midway between Marbella and Sotogrande, Finca Cortesin has been the home of the Volvo World Match Play Championship since 2009. This year, for the first time in the tournament’s history, not only will half the field be US PGA Tour members, but it’s also the first time that three Spanish players have qualified for the Championship…

Repeating last year’s successful format, the players will be divided into eight groups of three for the round-robin stage on Thursday and Friday, to decide which 16 players progress to Saturday’s knock-out, with the semi-finals and final on Sunday. And to add to the anticipation, this year there’s a very special hole-in-one prize on the 10^th hole, where the players will have the chance to win a gleaming new Volvo V40.

The elite 24-man field – representing 12 different nations and featuring 15 of the world’s top 60 players – sees England leading the charge with six players qualifying for the 2012 Volvo World Match Play Championship, including defending Champion Ian Poulter and World No. 9 Justin Rose. Eleven players will be making their Volvo World Match Play Championship debut, including American star Brandt Snedeker, Australia’s John Senden and Sweden’s Peter Hanson who finished third at the recent US Masters. Paul Casey – winner of the 2006 Volvo China Open and 2011 Volvo Golf Champions – is the recipient of the sponsors’ invitation.

Having already won the 2012 Volvo China Open and Volvo Golf Champions, South Africa’s rising star Branden Grace will be battling to secure a Volvo Grand Slam to celebrate his 24^th birthday, while Spain’s three contenders – Sergio García, Álvaro Quirós and Rafael Cabrera-Bello – all have their eyes firmly set on becoming the first Spanish winner since the Championship moved from Wentworth to Spain in 2009, and since Seve Ballesteros triumphed in 1991.

“I can’t wait to return to Spain to defend my title,” says Ian Poulter. “I love the cut and thrust of match play and it’s a refreshing change from the usual stroke play format we play week in and week out on the Tour. Since it’s a Ryder Cup year, I think it’ll 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.”

The 47^th edition of the Volvo World Match Play Championship takes place in the spectacular setting of Finca Cortesin – whose challenging greens and fairways were designed by Cabell Robinson – from 17 to 20 May.