The distinguished HSBC World Matchplay Championship begins at Wentworth in Surrey tomorrow, and New Zealand’s Michael Campbell (pictured with the trophy) should be on the very prime of his recreation if he’s to retain the title he received final 12 months after beating Eire’s Paul McGinley within the closing. A really robust discipline has been assembled for the occasion, whose listing of previous champions reads like a who’s who of champion golfers over the past 4 a long time (see beneath). World primary Tiger Woods can be trying to win the occasion for the primary time and is making his first look since dropping the 1998 closing to his fellow American Mark O’Meara, whereas the presence of Jim Furyk (USA), David Howell (Eng), Paul Casey (Eng), Luke Donald (Eng), Robert Karlsson (Swe) and Colin Montgomerie (Sco) on this matchplay occasion can solely add to the gathering fervour forward of subsequent week’s Ryder Cup between Europe and the USA. The match, which carries the most important first prize in golf, isn’t just about Woods’ quest for a sixth straight match victory or the potential Ryder Cup sub-plots which will develop. Additionally within the discipline are a number of winner Ernie Els, his South African compatriot Retief Goosen and Australia’s Adam Scott, all of whom can be properly fancied for the title. The draw is accomplished by Simon Kahn (Eng), Tim Clark (RSA), Angel Cabrera (Arg), Shaun Micheel (USA) and Mike Weir (Can). Woods, the second seed, performs Micheel within the first spherical however may then face Donald within the quarter-finals. Montgomerie has been fast to reward Woods for agreeing to play, however believes that if a European can beat him this week then the omens can be good for the Ryder Cup. “It’s great that Tiger is here,” the 43 year-old Scot, who meets Ryder Cup colleague Howell within the choose of the opening matches, mentioned on Tuesday. “The draw has worked out well for me because I stay away from him as long as possible. It would be great if Luke could have a real go at him and if one of us can beat him then it would do Europe the power of good for next week.” “It’s a shame I’ve been drawn against David [Howell],” he mentioned of his first spherical conflict. “I’d rather not play a team-mate and I think both of us feel that way. It’s an awkward one but we have to put the fact that we are colleagues next week out of our minds. I will start to think properly about the Ryder Cup on Monday when I pack.” HSBC WORLD MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW Play begins tomorrow at Wentworth, Surrey Every match performed over 36 holes (1) Michael Campbell (NZ) v (16) Simon Kahn (Eng) (8) David Howell (Eng) v (9) Colin Montgomerie (Sco) (5) Retief Goosen (RSA) v (12) Paul Casey (Eng)
(4) Adam Scott (Aus) v (13) Mike Weir (Can) (3) Jim Furyk (USA) v (14) Robert Karlsson (Swe) (6) Ernie Els (RSA) v (11) Angel Cabrera (Arg) (7) Luke Donald (Eng) v (10) Tim Clark (RSA) (2) Tiger Woods (USA) v (15) Shaun Micheel (USA) FAMOUS FORMER CHAMPIONS Arnold Palmer (USA) (1964, 1967) Gary Participant (RSA) (1965, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1973) Jack Nicklaus (USA) (1970) Hale Irwin (USA) (1974, 1975) Greg Norman (Aus) (1980, 1983, 1986) Seve Ballesteros (Spa) (1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1991) Nick Faldo (Eng) (1989, 1992) Ian Woosnam (Wal) (1990, 2001) Ernie Els (RSA) (1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004)