The European Tour jets from Morocco to China for the first time this season as Beijing’s Topwin Golf and Country Club plays host to the Volvo China Open.
Over 40 Chinese players will be gunning for glory in their home tournament including the country's No.1 golfer, Li Haotong, who won the Volvo China Open in 2016. Li rocketed to a stunning 3rd at last year’s Open and earlier this year he got his hands on the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The 22-year-old second favourite (14/1) will be roared on by a passionate home support as he attempts to become the first of his countrymen to win three European Tour events.
In the build-up to the tournament Li told Richmond News:
"It's always exciting to be back playing in my hometown and hopefully I can play well and bring some sporting success to the country this week.
"The course is in great shape – especially the greens, which are quite fast – and it would mean a lot to win here again, especially in front of my friends and family and all the Chinese supporters so I'm looking forward to it."
Another Chinese player to keep an eye on this week is 2015 champion Wu Ashun, who is a 100/1 outsider to claim his second success in four years, while 2017 Volvo China Junior Championship Champion Liu Zehao is a juicy 2500/1 shot!
It’s no surprise to see defending champion Alexander Levy at the top of the betting market, given both his current form and record at the Volvo China Open.
The Frenchman (10/1) heads to Beijing on the back of last week’s win at the Trophee Hassan II - his fifth European Tour title.
He’s the only player to ever win the China Open multiple times, having pipped Dylan Frittelli in a play-off last year, while his first success was a four-stroke triumph back in 2014, during which he set a course record round of 62.
Levy, who will be bidding to become a three-time winner, told Golf Monthly:
“Playing in China obviously agrees with me.
“It’s a lucky country for me and not only at the Volvo China Open as I’ve also finished seventh, third and fourth at other tournaments here so there’s no doubt that I like the place.”
Kiradech Aphibarnrat also finds himself in the top echelons of the betting market at 16/1. The Thai player has enjoyed a decent season to date, having triumphed at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth down in Australia, while he finished 5th at the WGC Mexico Championship, and let’s not forget he’s won on Chinese soil before at the 2015 Shenzhen International.
One man who is accustomed to winning in Asia is Bernd Wiesberger (18/1) who counts the Shenzhen International, Indonesian Masters, and Korea’s Ballantine’s Championship, among his previous successes.