China Tour opens up to foreign competitors

Foreign professionals will compete on the Omega China Tour this season as the next step towards expanding the reach of the fast-growing circuit that has been largely restricted to players from the mainland in its first three seasons, organisers announced today.

Ten overseas players based in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Taipei will be given fully exempt status following a 36-hole qualifying competition to be played at Golden Gulf Golf Club in Zhuhai on February 25 and 26.

Around 20 foreign pros will vie for the opportunity to play on the Omega China Tour that will boast a 10-event schedule in 2008 with total prize money of more than US$1 million.

James Stewart of Hong Kong, a regular on the Asian Tour, and well-known American professional turned swing coach Jim Johnson, the winner of the 2002 Asian PGA Tour Qualifying School, are among the entries.

"Opening up the Omega China Tour to properly accredited foreign professionals living in Greater China is aimed at raising the standard and level of competition on the circuit," said Nick Mould, President, East Asia, World Sport Group, who run the Omega China Tour in partnership with the China Golf Association.

"It is all about raising the profile of the game in China through a vibrant, competitive Omega China Tour."

The China Golf Association (CGA) has also agreed to issue special invitations to Chinese professionals from Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Taipei for the 2008 Omega China Tour.

Two players from each of these areas will compete in the 10 tournaments following a successful experiment last year when Chinese Taipei stars Wang Terchang and Lu Wenteh, both multiple winners on the Asian Tour, played in the season-ending Omega Championship.

"The Omega China Tour, now entering its fourth season, has had a great effect on the golf industry in China. Most importantly, Chinese players have made great improvements through playing tournament golf," said a CGA official.

"As an experiment, we invited professionals from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau to play some events on the Omega China Tour last season and the result was perfect. It proved that strengthening the competition helped make our players stronger and more competitive.

"So, we have further opened up the Tour this season."

The curtain rises on the fourth season of the Omega China Tour at the Guangzhou Tournament from March 13-16. It will be played at Dragon Lake Golf Club.

February 24, 2008

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page