Open de Canarias preview

REUTERS STATS PREVIEW FOR THE ABAMA OPEN DE CANARIAS, ABAMA, TENERIFE - 6-9 OCTOBER

THE LOWDOWN

2004 Cevaer claims Spanish win

Abama in southern Tenerife will be christened by the European Tour pros this week after opening just a couple of months ago.

According to the tournament director, Jose-Maria Zamora, it is "absolutely pristine". Only a handful of guests at the attached hotel, one of the finest in Spain, have been allowed on the par-71 course - including ex-US President Bill Clinton.

This Dave Thomas-designed track is a real challenge as well as being set in a breathtaking location with the ocean visible on all but two of the tees on the course.

It is pretty undulating with the highest point some 200 metres above the lowest. Additionally, there's water hazards galore and some gorgeous flora.

WHERE IT WILL BE WON AND LOST

HARDEST HOLE: The 230-yard par-three fourth promises to be the toughest challenge, according to Zamora.

It is the highest point of the course and arguably the most attractive hole with a blanket of red flowers skirting it on the right and the Atlantic on the left.

Players must hit a three or four iron, depending on the breeze, over a valley and water hazard on to a good-sized green guarded by four bunkers.

The putting surface, like so many at Abama, is undulating, quick and tricky to read.

EASIEST HOLE: The 536-yard par-five 10th is reachable in two blows and is a definite birdie chance but will still offer quite a challenge.

From an elevated tee, players will hit over three small water hazards and must then negotiate three large lakes on the left all the way to the green and beyond.

The right side of the hole is not free from danger, either, with bunkers skirting the approach to the green.

The drive must be pinpoint as the fairway narrows where the hole turns dogleg right. The green, for good measure, is long and thin.

THE MEN TO WATCH

The competing attraction of the WGC-American Express Championship in San Francisco and a fairly modest prize fund of 450,000 euros have deterred most of the big names from travelling to Tenerife.

The field, though, is headed by Scott Drummond and Ignacio Garrido, 2004 and 2003 PGA Championship winners respectively, with a smattering of other well known names including South African veteran David Frost, Mark Roe and Andrew Coltart.

Information: Reuters Stats