Midea China Classic joins OneAsia schedule

Chinese stars Liang Wenchong and former champion Zhang Lianwei will be among the main draws at the US$500,000 Midea China Classic from October 15-18, when the tournament makes its debut on the inaugural OneAsia schedule.

The event will be held for the fifth successive year at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club in Shunde, south of Guangzhou.

OneAsia will stage six events this year and the Midea China Classic marks the second visit of the year to China following the season opening Volvo China Open.

Zhang, 44, won the 2006 Midea China Classic one year after losing a play-off to compatriot Yuan Hao in the inaugural event and has also competed in the last two editions.

“I have many good memories of the Midea China Classic as I’ve played in every one of the events, was fortunate to win in 2006 and also helped redesign the fairways at Royal Orchid,” Zhang said in reference to the Nick Faldo-designed layout.

“The Midea China Classic shows the strength of the Midea Group. Although many tournaments have been cancelled this year, Midea’s announcement that it will continue to title sponsor the China Classic will ensure Chinese players can still play top-level, international tournaments.”

Liang, Asia’s number one in 2007, will be gunning for his first victory in the event, which was won by Thai legend Thaworn Wiratchant in 2007 and Korean prodigy Noh Seung-yul last year.

The 31-year-old Liang, China’s top finisher last year in joint-16th place as 10 Chinese made the cut, is a big supporter of the home-grown tournament and said he was happy to see a Chinese corporation continue to throw its weight behind domestic golf.

He said: “Midea is a famous Chinese brand and the Midea China Classic is a famous tournament in the Chinese golf calendar. I’m looking forward to playing in the Midea China Classic and hope I can make a breakthrough this year.

“Golf has proven a good platform for Midea to build its brand and our continued support of the Midea China Classic shows that we’ll continue to focus on top-class golf tournaments,” said Dong Xiaohua, Director of Brand Management for Midea Group.

“We have to think about our future development and realise the economic crisis will eventually pass. A strong-value brand can still invest and get through the economic crisis and emerge a winner in the future.”

Ben Sellenger, Commissioner of the PGA Tour of Australasia and a OneAsia representative, was delighted to see another Chinese event added to the OneAsia schedule and praised the title sponsor for its support during the difficult economic times.

“The Midea China Classic will not only a feature world-class field of the leading players from across Asia-Pacific but also enhanced representation of local players, allowing Chinese players to develop their games against the best in the business,” Sellenger said.

“2009 sees this tournament, the Midea China Classic, take the next step on its journey of growth, and cements its position as a pivotal part of a consolidated pathway for elite tournament golf in Asia- Pacific. We thank Midea for their vision and ongoing support of golf in the region”.

OneAsia teed off in April with the US$2.2 million Volvo China Open, which was co-sanctioned with the European Tour. Australian Scott Strange emerged victorious at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club, winning US$366,000 and a place in the Volvo World Match Play Championship (October 29-November 1).

OneAsia plans to offer 12-15 events next year and 17-20 annually from 2011 and beyond.

August 11, 2009