Strong European presence hoping to tame Tiger

PADRAIG HARRINGTON and Darren Clarke are among the 14-strong field intent on denting Tiger Woods’s record in his Target World Challenge commencing Thursday at the Sherwood Country Club near Los Angeles.

In form Colin Montgomerie, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn and England’s Luke Donald complete the European interest.

Since the tournament began in 2000, Woods has been either first or second and will again take all the beating this week even if, in addition to the European quintet, the field includes world number two Vijay Singh; Chris DiMarco, the weekend Sun City champion Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry, Angel Cabrera, David Toms, Michael Campbell, Fred Couples and John Daly.

Here’s how the event has worked out in the Woods context over the five years of the event:

2000: Davis Love, 263, winner; Woods, 273, second.

2001: Woods 273, winner.

2002: Padraig Harrington, 268, winner; Woods, 270, second.

2003: Davis Love, 277, winner; Woods, 279, second.

2004: Woods, 268, winner.

They are playing for a purse of $5.5million (€4.66m) with $1.3m (€1.1m) for the winner. And the course, a spectacular 7,053 yards, par 72 lay-out is a fitting venue for such an event.

It is lined by 1,800 oak trees and is replete with countless water hazards and waterfalls. From 2006, it will be joined by an 18-hole, par three course featuring 14 replicated holes on Jack Nicklaus designed courses.

For television viewers, action on the 18th promises to be a special pleasure. It’s a par four 446 yards and is regarded by Nicklaus as “the finest finishing hole I have created.”

The drive should be played down the left side and the approach will be to a multi-level green protected in front by a rock filled pond flowing into a waterfall on the right and connected to another waterfall and stream on the left. To the back right lurks a waterfall, a deep pot bunker and a deep grass bunker.

One of the most memorable moments in Padraig Harrington’s career came with his victory here in 2002 and should he repeat that success, it would be his third win in the United States this year.

Clarke will be remembered for his World Match Play Championship defeat of Woods in 2000 and will, of course, be encouraged by forcing his way into the Sun City play-off on Sunday.

As for Montgomerie, his confidence is so high that he now expects to win every time he tees it up and with Singh, Furyk, Donald and US Open champion Michael Campbell all there to add spice to the occasion, there is every reason to hope for another golfing treat.

Montgomerie’s victory in Hong Kong was a smashing effort while Irish fans will have noted Damien McGrane’s fine performance in finishing seven under par, two behind the Scot, in a share of seventh and the richer by €26,407.

The European Tour moves on this week to the Leopard Creek course bordering the Kruger National Park for the €1m South African Open, where McGrane is joined by Gary Murphy, David Higgins and Stephen Browne.