Race to World Cup hots up in Estonia
Derksen and Luiten start as warm favourites to qualify for World Cup at Mission Hills
A number of the European Tour’s top players are teeing it up in the beautiful city of Tallinn and the acclaimed Estonian Golf & Country Club this week, as they seek to book their place at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
The pristine fairways of Estonian Golf & Country Club’s Sea Course will provide the setting for fulfilled dreams and shattered hopes as 22 players from 11 teams across the world vie for one of three qualification berths for the showpiece final to be played at the Mission Hills Resort in China from November 24-27.
Dutch duo Joost Luiten and Robert-Jan Derksen will start as warm favourites for one of the three qualifying spots as they attempt to book their place against the world’s elite, which last week confirmed the participation of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in the Irish side.
The four-day competition will comprise of fourball and foursome formats, similar to the biannual World Cup that was last won by Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari in 2009.
Those looking to punch their ticket to Mission Hills must first negotiate Estonian Golf & Country Club’s Sea Course – ranked in Europe’s Top 100 Courses – which will offer a stern test as it winds its way through forest and runs along the coastline with views across theGulf of Finland.
“The golf course is in immaculate condition and will provide the perfect setting for such a prestigious event,” said Estonian Golf & Country Club CEO, Hanno Kross.
“We look forward to welcoming top players from the European Tour including former Dubai Desert Classic champion Robert-Jan Derksen.
“It promises to be a fantastic week and will cement Estonian Golf & Country Club’s place among the best courses in Europe.”
Full entry list for this week's Omega Mission Hills World Cup European Qualifier
Austria: Roland Steiner & Florian Pragant
Chile: Mark Tullo & Felipe Aguilar
Croatia: Martin Stahan & Miro Raic
Estonia: Mark Suursalu & Egert Poldma
Finland: Mikko Korhonen & Joonas Granberg
Greece: Karantzias Panagiotis & Gkinis Themistoklis
Netherlands: Joost Luiten & Robert-Jan Derksen
Poland: Maksymilian Saluda & Yakub Ossowski
Portugal: Hugo Santos & Ricardo Santos
Slovenia: Sebastian Ajster & Gregor Slabe
Switzerland: Martin Rominger & Nicolas Sulzer
Golfmagic correspondent Darren Farman visited Tallinn recently. Here's what he had to say...
