Per Ericsson, president of Volvo Event Management - Golf, the title sponsor, promoter and organizer of the China Open, said this year's tournament, which will be held just two weeks after the US Open, will attract even more of the game's big names.

"The record prize money and the new date are important factors in positioning the Volvo China Open as one of world golf's emerging 'majors'," said Ericsson. "We held the event a week after the US Open in past years, which made it difficult for the world's top players to travel to China.

"Equally important is the authenticity of there being qualifying events, thus enabling ambitious Chinese players to compete on the world stage. Also, taking the national open golf championship of China to the new venue of Luxehills in Chengdu this year will help spread the word about the game nationwide."

Having opened its doors for play in 2007, Luxehills International Country Club has been steadily rising in stature, from initially hosting China Tour events to title-sponsoring the Luxehills Chengdu Open on the OneAsia Tour, which was won by Liang Wenchong in April last year, to stepping up again to host the Volvo China Open this year.

Meanwhile, Li Dazheng, vice-president of the Chinese Golf Association, believes the event will create new opportunities for local players.

"With golf now part of the Olympic family from Rio de Janeiro in 2016, we are already seeing a remarkable transformation in terms of participation levels and youth development and the Volvo China Open will play a key role in encouraging aspiring young golfers, building media coverage and generating a golf-watching culture, either on TV or at the courses in China," said Li.

Chen Xiangfeng

(China Daily 03/03/2011 page23)