Champions on move to South Africa

THE second staging of the European Tour’s Volvo Golf Champions event will be at Fancourt in South Africa from 19-22 January after a decision to move away from Bahrain because of the political unrest there.

With a purse of £1.7million and a first prize of £305,000, the event will complete a three-week swing for the circuit in South Africa following the Africa and Joburg Opens.

The tournament is open only to European Tour players who have won an event this season, plus those with ten or more wins to their name.

Paul Casey triumphed in Bahrain in January. A month later, the Formula One Grand Prix there was cancelled amid civil unrest. “I think that the news that the Volvo Golf Champions is heading to South Africa will be very well received by the players,” said Casey. “I am really looking forward to starting my year there.

“I am trying to recover from a niggling toe injury and, while I have a few big events coming up where I will be aiming to win again, I am also looking forward to starting 2012 afresh and hoping to enjoy an injury-free year.

“Defending my title at the Volvo Golf Champions will be at the top of my New Year’s Resolution List.”