SHANGHAI – Nov. 16, 2004 – Danish star Thomas Bjorn will head full speed to the US$1 million Volvo China Open next week where he hopes to complete his battle against 'demons' with a victory.
The 33-year-old Bjorn will be one of the main draw cards at Shanghai Silport Golf Club from November 25-28 and on top of his mind would be to achieve success in a region which has yielded two victories in the past.
He will join the likes of Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley, Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, sixth on the European Tour Order of Merit this year, and former British Open champion Paul Lawrie in the fray at the Volvo China Open, jointly sanctioned for the first time by the Asian and European Tours.
Volvo Event Management President and Chief Executive Officer Mel Pyatt said: "It is a great privilege to welcome Thomas Bjorn to this year's Volvo China Open. He is a great champion and a tremendous competitor. I'm sure he will be amongst those challenging for the title at Shanghai Silport."
Bjorn endured a difficult summer when he quit just six holes into the first round of the Smurfit European Open, saying inner demons forced him to walk off the course. The incident was well publicised but the Dane showed great character to come back into the title frame.
By hooking up with his old coach Pete Cowen, the powerful Dane showed he was right on track when he finished second behind Ernie Els in the American Express Championship and then 11th in the season-ending Volvo Masters Andalucia recently.
With seven European Tour victories and two tournament triumphs in Japan under his belt, the born-again Dane is certain of challenging for honours at the Volvo China Open. His finish behind Els last month may well be the turning point. "I'm proud of what I've done this week," said Bjorn then.
"I've come a long way, and this is what I want to be a part of. Thinking back on the last six or seven months, this is a massive improvement. I'm just happy with being in this situation. I've come such a long way. It's been a long trip for me, and I'm just happy with what I've done. I'm proud of myself. It is a massive step in the right direction, a sign that I can play with the big boys again."
He must also thank Bernhard Langer's decision for inviting him to be a vice captain in the European Ryder Cup side which beat the United States in September. With his confidence low after not making the team, Bjorn revelled as a backroom staff and enjoyed the camaraderie. He found inspiration from Europe's landslide victory which rubbed off his own game.
In recent years, Asia has been good to Bjorn as he has won in Japan while he finished third in last year's Omega Hong Kong Open and tied second in this year's Johnnie Walker Classic in Bangkok.
The Dane is tipped by many to win a Major soon, although he came desperately close at the British Open last year when he led with three holes to go before losing to American Ben Curtis.
With a resume that includes beating Tiger Woods for the 2001 Dubai Desert Classic title after going head to head with the former world number one throughout four rounds, Bjorn will undoubtedly be amongst those in pole position for the Volvo China Open trophy.
Chuah Choo Chiang
Communications Manager
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