Host of big names for season's second half

The second half of the Asian Tour season resumes this week with a slew of world stars primed to do battle in the region before a record year comes to a close in December.

The inaugural Iskandar Johor Open, offering a total prize fund of US$300,000, will kick start a frantic rush of 11 tournaments where the region’s finest are locked in battle for the prestigious Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit crown.

China’s Liang Wen-chong provided one of the main highlights of the opening half of the year with a career breakthrough triumph in Singapore and following six other top-10s, he currently holds top position in the race for the UBS Order of Merit title.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han is predicting one of the best finishes to the year, with so much still to play for in a record season which will offer an all-time high US$27 million through 27 events.

“There will be so much at stake over the next few months. The race for the UBS Order of Merit crown is very close and with several lucrative events lined up over the next few months, it could all change very easily,” said Han.

“Our Schedule will include four new events which reflects wonderfully on the growth of the game in Asia. Established tournaments have also raised their prize money significantly to record figures which has enabled the Asian Tour to enjoy what will be our finest year yet.”

The 29-year-old Liang will headline this week’s Johor event, backed by the Johor state government and Iskandar Region Development Authority, and the Zhongshan golfer will be looking to step closer to his dream of becoming Asia’s number one.

This week’s tournament at Royal Johor Country Club is one of four new tournaments, with the Midea China Classic, Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational and Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open set over the next few months.

Following the Johor event, the Asian Tour will head to the Brunei Open next week where Chinese Taipei’s Wang Ter-chang is the title holder.

All eyes will certainly focus on the lucrative events that will highlight the tail-end of the schedule. In November, the US$4 million Barclays Singapore Open has attracted four of the world’s top-10 players to the Sentosa Golf Club.

American Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els of South Africa, Fijian Vijay Singh and defending champion Adam Scott are amongst the stars who have confirmed their trip to the Far East while US Open champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina will also make the trip.

“I'm really excited about playing the Barclays Singapore Open. I haven't been to Asia for many years and never to Singapore, so this is a great opportunity for me and my family,” the 37-year-old Mickelson, who is ranked third in the world.

The UBS Hong Kong Open, with a record US$2 million on offer in mid-November, will be another highly anticipated event at the Hong Kong Golf Club before the Tour heads for its home stretch with a first ever stop in Cambodia, followed by the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok, which is exclusive to the top-60 players from the UBS Order of Merit.

Han believes this year’s UBS Order of Merit champion could well earn over US$600,000, surpassing last year’s record of US$591, 884 set by India’s Jeev Milkha Singh.

“Liang and second-ranked Anton Haig (of South Africa) have already earned US$400,000 this season and it will not surprise me if the leading stars break the earnings record,” said Han.

“It certainly promises to be an exciting finish to our 2007 season.”

August 20, 2007

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