Strong field lines up in Seville

The PGA European tour moves to Spain this week for the 2008 Spanish Open. South African Charl Schwartzel returns as the tournament champion, and will be up against several of the finest golfers on tour.

With many believing that Darren Clarke’s victory in the BMW Open last week will spark a mini Irish renaissance in the European Tour, the Emerald Isle’s Paul McGinley is favourite amongst many to take the 2008 Spanish Open title after finishing in the Spanish Open top ten for two consecutive years.

Darren Clarke will also be at the Real Club de Golf de Espana in Seville this week, and fans are looking forward to something special from the reinvigorated golfer.

However golf fans will know that the Spanish Open is a happy hunting ground for Scandinavian golfers, who have won half of the tournaments played in the last decade. 2006 winner Niclas Fasth will attend this year’s Spanish Open, but will have to pull himself out of an early season slump to take his second title.

Spanish golf fans will be hoping that home favourite Miguel Angel Jiminez will be able to make an impact on a strong field which includes Colin Montgomerie, John Daly and Thomas Levet.