New date, new course, new future

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."