Levy aiming to break new ground at China Open

AlexLevy - Cropped

Frenchman Alex Levy hopes to do what no other player has done before in the 21-year history of the China Open and defend his title.

The world number 60 lifted the trophy last year, finishing four strokes clear of Tommy Fleetwood at the Genzon Golf Club.

This year's tournament takes place at a different venue - the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club - and Levy, who finished tied for 25th at last week's Shenzhen International, is eager to reclaim what was his first European Tour crown.

"It's nice to go back to a tournament as defending champion, especially when it's your first title," he said.

"I just want to enjoy the week. I'm playing well and my game is in good shape, so hopefully it should be fun. 

"I wasn't playing very well at the start of the season, so I just decided to go back to what I was doing before - playing more aggressively, and not thinking about things too much. It seems to be working!

"I remember last year's win very well, especially the last day. And of course the 62 on the second day.

"It's mentally tough when you lead the tournament from the second round to the last hole, that's the hardest way to win in my opinion.

"But it gave me a lot of confidence to win that way, because I knew then that my game was good enough and my mentality was strong enough to win big tournaments."

Other players expected to challenge Levy are Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who overcame a last-round wobble in Shenzen to claim the title in a play-off.

He defeated 20-year-old Li Hao-tong in that contest, and Li is hoping to become the first Chinese player to win a European Tour event on home soil.

Nicolas Colsaerts has previous form at this event and he could also pose a stern challenge at the top of the leaderboard.

The Belgian Ryder Cup winner took glory in 2011, before coming close to defending his crown 12 months later, finishing second by three shots to Branden Grace of South Africa.

 

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