Having roared back into the form everyone knew and loved Sergio García for with back-to-back victories on home soil in Spain late last year, he found himself back in the doldrums earlier this year, bemoaning his lack of a ‘Major’ championship win despite a fine 12th place in the Masters at Augusta.

The 32-year-old had risen as high as second in the Official World Golf Ranking, on the back of his 2008 WGC HSBC Champions and Players Championship wins in 2008, but took time out in 2010 in order to rekindle his passion for the sport.

Sergio enjoyed a magnificent Volvo Masters record, doing everything but winning the title, runner-up three years in succession, and, given that he is always inspired by his adoring ‘home’ fans, he could go all the way at Finca Cortesín for what would be his 11th European Tour title and a 23rd in all competitions.

Sergio García qualified for the 2012 Volvo World Match Play Championship through his finishing position on the final 2011 Race to Dubai Ranking.