Mission Hills Golf Club announced that Justin Rose, who dramatically clinched the European PGA TOUR Order of Merit title, will represent England in the prestigious 2007 Omega Mission Hills World Cup, Nov. 22-25, on the Olazabal Course at Mission Hills in Shenzhen, China.
Rose will use the momentum and team with close friend Ian Poulter in four days of grueling yet enjoyable competition for one of the most distinctive trophies in professional golf at the world’s foremost golf venue, Mission Hills. Recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records as the largest golf venue globally, Mission Hills has been the site of more than 50 international tournaments, including the 2001 Tiger Woods China Challenge. Mission Hills will be the permanent home of The Omega Mission Hills World Cup will be held on the Olazabal Course through 2018.
The 27-year-old Englishman secured the Order of Merit title after winning a three-way playoff at the European PGA TOUR’s Volvo Masters in Valderrama, Spain, where a 12-foot putt at the second extra hole propelled Rose to win the season-ending tournament over Simon Dyson and Soren Kjeldsen. Rose lost a four-shot lead but rallied with nine holes to play.
“Winning the Order of Merit is extremely self gratifying,” says Rose. “And the upcoming World Cup at Mission Hills is icing on the cake. I’m further inspired to represent my country and team with my pal, Ian Poulter, and so much looking forward to playing the Olazabal course there. It represents one of the finest and fun layouts anywhere in the world.”
Rose and Poulter were roommates on the European Challenge Tour more than eight years ago, and with 13 victories between them look to topple a star-studded Omega Mission Hills World Cup field that includes Colin Montgomerie (Scotland), Mike Weir (Canada) and Retief Goosen (South Africa). Zhang Lian-Wei (China), who designed one of Mission Hills’ famous courses, a Par 3 spectacle replicating many of the world’s most renowned golf holes worldwide, will also compete, as will two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal on the course he designed. Germany defends its 2006 World Cup title, and 2005 champions Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge (Wales) look to rekindle their glory.
The Olazabal Course, a par-72, 7,251-yard layout, designed in collaboration with Scottsdale, Arizona-based architects Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc., will be making its debut on the international golf scene this year.
“Mission Hills is thrilled to host Justin Rose and many of the world’s best golfers,” says David Chu, Ph.D., chairman of Mission Hills Group. “The Olazabal course and the 11 other courses at Mission Hills are always in pristine, TOUR-ready conditions, one reason why Mission Hills has become the world’s golf gateway, attracting avid golfers spanning the globe.”
