Rank outsider Finch in with shout of big prize

HULL’S Richard Finch, 215th in the world, will be part of one of golf’s elite events in Spain next week – one where he is guaranteed more than £40,000 just for showing up and could even end up more than £564,000 richer.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th May 2012, 08:31 BST

The 34-year-old, who has not earned a penny from six of his last seven tournaments, is in the 24-strong field for the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin in Spain.

Finch has qualified through his third-place finish at the China Open last month – all because winner Branden Grace and runner-up Nicolas Colsaerts had already earned Match Play places.

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He is the lowest-ranked player in the line-up, but the opposition is not as fearsome as it might have been. World top three Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood have all opted out.

With all of America’s leading lights turning it down as well, world No 8 Martin Kaymer is currently the top seed.

Paul Casey, winner in 2006, has received the one sponsor’s invitation and joins a field that also includes compatriots Justin Rose, Robert Rock, Tom Lewis and defending champion Ian Poulter, Open champion Darren Clarke, fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell and Scot Paul Lawrie.

Related topics:HullSpainPaul Lawrie