Above: Gary Lokerbie, winner of the Kazakhstan Open 2008
Below: Zhailjau Golf Resort in Almaty, Kazakhstan
PMG Promoted Kazakhstan Open begins tomorrow
The fifth edition of the PMG promoted Kazakhstan Open, the biggest tournament on the European Challenge Tour, with a prize fund of €400,000, starts tomorrow at the Arnold Palmer-designed Zhailjau Golf Resort in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The Kazakhstan Open is the biggest tournament on the European Challenge Tour.
Current Rankings leader Edoardo Molinari of Italy and his closest rival Andrew Butterfield of England have both already guaranteed their European Tour cards for next season, but both would dearly love to graduate as the Number One. They are currently separated by €18,052 at the top of the Rankings, but with €64,000 on offer to the winner, it could be all change this week.
Of the form horses, Wales’ Rhys Davies – winner of two of his last seven events – will have designs on the trophy on his first visit to Kazakhstan, as will Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts, who captured his second title of the season in last Week’s Dutch Futures.
Like its predecessor Nurtau Golf Club, Zhailjau Golf Resort sits in the shadow of the vast snowcapped Tien Shan mountain range, which provides a visually arresting spectacle. The 7,197 yards, par 72 course, which is set beside a new residential development and luxury hotel, also boasts a large number of water hazards.
To underline the importance of the Kazakhstan Open, regarded by the players as the Challenge Tour Major, in each of the four years since Ireland’s Stephen Browne won the inaugural event, the winner has progressed onto The European Tour at the end of the season.
