Levy aiming for historic hat-trick at China Open

Alex Levy will have a unique hat-trick in sight when he tees off to defend his Volvo China Open title at Beijing's Topwin Golf & Country Club this week.

Winner of two of the past four editions of the tournament, Levy is returning to China on a hot streak.

On Sunday the 27-year-old Frenchman fired a final-round 2-under 70 to edge overnight leader Alvaro Quiros by a single shot to win the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco, marking his fifth European Tour victory.

Levy beat South Africa's Dylan Fritelli in a playoff at last year's Volvo China Open, setting up this week's return to the same course looking to create a unique bit of history.

No other golfer has won the title twice, never mind three times, so perhaps there is some significance in the 20 million yuan ($3.17 million) tournament being staged in the shadow of the Great Wall at Topwin Golf & Country Club for a third successive year.

"Playing in China obviously agrees with me," said Levy. "It's a lucky country for me and not only at the Volvo China Open as I've also finished seventh, third and fourth at other tournaments here.

"Winning last year in China was definitely a different feeling from 2014 because your first win is always special.

"After you've got that first title, you always feel the same when you are under pressure - and the pressure is much easier to handle if you've already won a tournament. You just need to remember the feeling."

Levy first underlined his love of China's fairways and greens when shooting a superb course-record 62 en route to a four-shot win over England's Tommy Fleetwood at the Volvo China Open at Genzon Golf Club in 2014.