Volvo Golf Champions
January 9 – 12, 2014
Durban C.C.
Durban,, South Africa
Par: 72 / Yardage:
Purse: $4 Million
with $700,000 to the winner
Defending Champion:
Louis Oosthuizen

This week’s field includes:
The field includes 10 of the top 50 in the latest Official World Rankings, with two top-25 in the field: #18 Charl Schwartzel & #24 Thomas Bjorn. Those between 26 and 50 in the field are #26 Jamie Donaldson, #32 Victor Dubuisson, #34 Louis Oosthuizen, #37 Miguel Angel Jimenez, #43 Matteo Manassero, #49 Joost Luiten and #50 Branden Grace.
The field includes all three past champions: Louis Oosthuizen (2013), Branden Grace (2012) and Paul Casey (2011).
A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Volvo Champions field is our performance chart listed by average finish. Another way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at the Volvo Champions in the last three years or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Volvo Champions.
A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.
Also check out our video preview and picks with Bernie McGuire of Golfmytourmiss.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v71APkucHaM
Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:
Who’s Hot in the field for the Volvo Golf Champions
Player | Nelson Mandela | Nedbank Golf Challenge | Hong Kong Open | Alfred Dunhill | South African Open | DP World Dubai | Mayakoba | Turkish Open | McGladrey Classic | HSBC Champions | BMW Masters | CIMB Classic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charl Schwartzel (161.67 pts) |
DNP | 6 (40) |
DNP | Win (88) |
T4 (26.67) |
DNP | DNP | T29 (7) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Jamie Donaldson (147 pts) |
DNP | T2 (66.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T8 (25) |
DNP | 2 (33.33) |
DNP | T8 (16.67) |
T34 (5.33) |
DNP |
Thomas Bjorn (140.17 pts) |
DNP | Win (88) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T21 (14.5) |
DNP | T18 (10.67) |
DNP | T39 (3.67) |
T5 (23.33) |
DNP |
Miguel A. Jimenez (113 pts) |
DNP | DNP | Win (88) |
DNP | DNP | T8 (25) |
DNP | T70 (0) |
DNP | 72 (0) |
60 (0) |
DNP |
Victor Dubuisson (111 pts) |
DNP | T20 (20) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | 3 (45) |
DNP | Win (44) |
DNP | DNP | T44 (2) |
DNP |
Dawie Van der walt (95.33 pts) |
Win (88) |
24 (17.33) |
DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
CUT (-3.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Morten Orum Madsen (83.33 pts) |
DNP | T25 (16.67) |
DNP | T16 (22.67) |
Win (44) |
DNP | DNP | T63 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (80.17 pts) |
DNP | 11 (26) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T37 (6.5) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T39 (3.67) |
Win (44) |
DNP |
Joost Luiten (71.67 pts) |
DNP | T16 (22.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | 4 (40) |
DNP | T18 (10.67) |
DNP | DNP | WD (-1.67) |
DNP |
Branden Grace (70.67 pts) |
T6 (40) |
T20 (20) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T52 (0) |
DNP | T29 (7) |
DNP | T39 (3.67) |
T61 (0) |
DNP |
Darren Fichardt (58.5 pts) |
T50 (0.67) |
T12 (25.33) |
DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
T37 (4.33) |
T21 (14.5) |
DNP | T15 (11.67) |
DNP | T61 (0) |
T24 (8.67) |
DNP |
Peter Uihlein (50 pts) |
DNP | 10 (26.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | 51 (0) |
DNP | T57 (0) |
DNP | T55 (0) |
T5 (23.33) |
DNP |
Richard Sterne (50 pts) |
DNP | T14 (24) |
DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | T14 (18) |
DNP | T36 (4.67) |
DNP | T39 (3.67) |
T31 (6.33) |
DNP |
Matteo Manassero (44.83 pts) |
DNP | T22 (18.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T21 (14.5) |
DNP | T44 (2) |
DNP | T21 (9.67) |
DNP | DNP |
Louis Oosthuizen (44.67 pts) |
DNP | T14 (24) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T32 (9) |
DNP | T67 (0) |
DNP | T15 (11.67) |
59 (0) |
DNP |
Kiradech Aphibarnrat (40.5 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T29 (10.5) |
DNP | T54 (0) |
DNP | T55 (0) |
DNP | T3 (30) |
Paul Casey (39.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 54 (0) |
DNP | T12 (12.67) |
DNP | 20 (10) |
T8 (16.67) |
DNP |
Robert Karlsson (33.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T6 (20) |
DNP | T10 (13.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
David Lynn (29 pts) |
DNP | T25 (16.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T42 (4) |
DNP | T36 (4.67) |
DNP | T39 (3.67) |
DNP | T64 (0) |
Tommy Fleetwood (27.17 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T37 (6.5) |
DNP | T36 (4.67) |
DNP | T18 (10.67) |
T34 (5.33) |
DNP |
Raphael Jacquelin (27 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T44 (3) |
DNP | T5 (23.33) |
DNP | 73 (0) |
T48 (0.67) |
DNP |
Thomas Aiken (26 pts) |
T35 (10) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
T17 (11) |
55 (0) |
DNP | T15 (11.67) |
DNP | DNP | T61 (0) |
DNP |
Mikko Ilonen (25.83 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T19 (15.5) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T21 (9.67) |
T48 (0.67) |
DNP |
Chris Wood (25.83 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T29 (10.5) |
DNP | T15 (11.67) |
DNP | T39 (3.67) |
75 (0) |
DNP |
Julien Quesne (19.5 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T47 (1.5) |
DNP | T12 (12.67) |
DNP | DNP | T34 (5.33) |
DNP |
How Player Rankings are Computed
Who’s Not Hot in the field for the Volvo Golf Champions
Player | Nelson Mandela | Nedbank Golf Challenge | Hong Kong Open | Alfred Dunhill | South African Open | DP World Dubai | Mayakoba | Turkish Open | McGladrey Classic | HSBC Champions | BMW Masters | CIMB Classic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Simon Thornton (-13.33 pts) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
T59 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Michael Hoey (-6 pts) |
T50 (0.67) |
DNP | DNP | WD (-3.33) |
CUT (-3.33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Colin Montgomerie (0 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T63 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Darren Clarke (0 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 77 (0) |
DNP | T65 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Padraig Harrington (8 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T50 (0.33) |
DNP | DNP | T27 (7.67) |
DNP |
David Howell (10 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T34 (8) |
DNP | T44 (2) |
DNP | 70 (0) |
T61 (0) |
DNP |
Jin Jeong (10.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T18 (10.67) |
DNP | DNP |
Brett Rumford (13.17 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T47 (1.5) |
DNP | 72 (0) |
DNP | 76 (0) |
T15 (11.67) |
DNP |
Marcel Siem (13.83 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T39 (5.5) |
DNP | T41 (3) |
DNP | DNP | T34 (5.33) |
DNP |
Stephen Gallacher (16.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T34 (8) |
DNP | T25 (8.33) |
DNP | T63 (0) |
T53 (0) |
DNP |
How Player Rankings are Computed
Who to watch for at the Volvo Golf Champions
Best Bets:
Charl Schwartzel
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 |
This is always his time to shine, has won in each of the last five years in South Africa and would love to claim this title. May not have the links record that some others have but has won big events, including the Masters. Look for his to shine this week.
Branden Grace
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T7 | Win |
Another of those that seem to shine in these South African events, past winner but on another links course Fancourt. Did finish T7th last year.
Padraig Harrington
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | T10 | 58 |
One of the best links players in the world, he is long overdue to return to the winners circle.
Best of the rest:
Thomas Bjorn
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T9 | T16 | T44 |
Another experience player and knows the ins and outs of links play. Won last time he played at Nedbank.
Louis Oosthuizen
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | T7 |
Winner last year and the type of player that could win back to back. Has a great links portfolio and on this course, just have to wonder if his back is up to it.
Matteo Manassero
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T9 | 23 | T13 |
Normally I would like him but he is playing with new clubs which could present a problem.
Miguel A. Jimenez
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T24 | T2 |
Just don’t like his odds this week, not because he is 50 but because he doesn’t play very well in South Africa because he hasn’t played much here.
Solid contenders
Dawie Van Der wait
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First time playing in this event |
More info:
Did win in last start at Mandela, but can he win on a links course?
Paul Lawrie
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T7 | T10 | T30 |
Winner of the Open at Carnoustie, can’t count him out.
Peter Ulhlein
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First time playing in this event |
More info:
He may surprise some this week.
Joost Luiten
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T26 |
Another of those youngsters who could do very well.
Long shots that could come through:
Julien Quesne
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T5 |
A good sleeper pick, was T5th last year
Darren Clarke
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T22 | T20 | T8 |
Hasn’t really played well since winning the Open in 2011. He is working hard and wants to regain his form in 2014, this will be a great test for him. I think he will surprise some.
Richard Sterne
2013 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 | ’02 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T30 |
Has been fighting injuries most of 2013, we will see if his game is back together. I have my doubts on him since he was not suppose to come back until the first of March, so you be the judge.