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Nanshan Masters joins OneAsia tour

By Tang Yue (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-11 08:08

Beijing - China will host its third OneAsia tournament when the Nanshan China Masters makes its debut from June 2-5 at the Nanshan International Golf Club in Shandong province.

"I am glad that we have a new OneAsia tournament in Nanshan and I believe it will be a milestone for China's golf," OneAsia's chairman, Sang Y. Chun, said in Beijing on Monday.

"Together we will build the tournament to be one of the most prestigious on the OneAsia tour and let it join the fast-growing Chinese golf industry. The event will show that golf in China is vibrant and increasing in popularity."

Chinese players have also been doing particularly well on the OneAsia tour with the nation's leading golfer, Liang Wenchong, winning last year's Order of Merit.

"Liang is one of the best players in Asia and a real role model for the young players. I expect more and more players can learn from him and become a star like him in the future," Chun said.

Meanwhile, Liang has shown great interest in the new tournament, which offers total prize money of $1 million.

"I' was very lucky to win the Order of Merit last season. This year I will try my best and continue to give good performances on the tour," said the 32-year-old.

"I play more than 30 tournaments every year, which is already a pretty tight schedule. But I really want to play in the Nanshan China Masters. Hopefully, I can make it.

"The event will also provide a very good platform for our young players to experience high-level competition. That's how I grew up."

South Korean Kim Dae-hyun, the winner of last year's Maekyung Open in Seoul, and Michael Henry of New Zealand, who claimed last season's Indonesia Open, have confirmed their participation in Nanshan.

China Daily