The Chinese Calendar: Predictions for the Volvo China Open

Almost there! The 2008 Volvo China Open Golf Tournament now just around the corner. Who will this years Volvo Open Champions be? Perhaps Chinese astrology holds some clues to the drama that is about to unfold, This years golf tournament falls into the year of the rat. The question is, which players could have to face the ill-fortune and physical distress that is associated with this symbol? According to the Chinese calendar each player in the tournament is a different animal depending on the year of their birth. How these animals will fare, and to what extent the players will have to suffer the ill omens of the year of the rat remains to be seen, but some predictions can be made.

Raphael Jacquelin, The Tiger

Tiger SUTTON COLDFIELD, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 21: Raphael Jacquelin of France tees off on the third hole during the second round of the Quinn Direct British Masters on the Brabazon Course at The Belfry on September 21, 2007 in Sutton Coldfield, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
The year of the rat will upset the good fortune which the tiger enjoyed last year. Jacquelin has been unable to top the leaders board since winning the 2007 BMW Asian Open. To return to his previous form, he’ll have to control any aggression he may be feeling and use his abundant energy to turn dreams of success into real plans that can then once again bring rich rewards as the year ends.

Graeme McDowell, The Sheep

This year will seem less positive than McDowell has grown accustomed to since he turned professional in 2002. Foolish decisions in the early part of the year can bring ill fortune for this cycle of the Chinese zodiac – which lasts 12 years – so McDowell should seek the advice of family and trusted friends before making hasty decisions. 2008 offers him a chance for learning. Sheep
SOTOGRANDE, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland during the forth round of the Volvo Masters at the Valderrama Golf Club on November 4, 2007 in Sotogrande, Spain. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Markus Brier, The Monkey

If Brier continues to work as hard as he did to win the Volvo China Open, the KLM Open, and the Telecom Italia titles last year, he will see many rewards in the year of the rat. The year may start off slow, but by the end of March the full richness of the rat year will be evident and continue through the year. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 04: A young chimpanzee watches the media covering the welcome of a new female baby chimpanzee to Sydney's Taronga Zoo on March 4, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. The new infant, as yet unnamed, was born late last week as part of the zoo's breeding program to help regenerate the critically endangered species here in Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
COLOGNE, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 13: Markus Brier of Austria during the first round of The Mercedes-Benz Championship at The Gut Larchenhof Golf Club on September 13, 2007 in Pulheim, near Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Richard Sterne, The Rooster

At the end of last year, Sterne ranked 14th on the European Order of Merit. This year he has already claimed a victory at the Joburg Open, but 2008 could be a challenging year for him. Quick decisions and emotional outbursts could lead to trouble. To negate some of the negative energy, Sterne should keep a positive attitude and pace himself. Rooster (Photo by Dimas Ardian / Getty Images)
SUTTON COLDFIELD, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 21: Richard Sterne of South Africa watches his tee-shot on the 16th hole during the second round of the Quinn Direct British Masters on the Brabazon Course at The Belfry on September 21, 2007 in Sutton Coldfield, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Jean-Francois Lucquin, The Horse

Straffan, IRELAND: Jean-Francois Lucquin of France tees off, 08 July 2006, during the 3rd round of the Smurfit Kappa European Open at the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare, Ireland. AFP PHOTO / Peter MUHLY (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images) China Open Horse
This is a year in which Lucquin could be easily distracted and be easy prey to others. Perhaps that is why he has had not achieved a top ten finish in the four tournaments played in 2008. To make the best of the rat year, he should exercise, eat well and keep a regular schedule.

Is the fate of the Volvo China Open 2008 written in the stars? Maybe or maybe not. But if you’re betting money on the outcome, a little celestial help wouldn’t do any harm.

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