It's a shortcut to Europe

The opportunity to punch a ticket to the European Challenge Tour was an added incentive for golfers at the Belt& Road Colorful Yunnan Open, which wrapped up on Sunday.

The ECT has had a working agreement with Chinese golf since the Qingdao Open in 2008, but this year marks the first time the Yunnan Open offered a reciprocal spot for Europe.

Alain de Soultrait, director of the Challenge Tour, is impressed by the dramatic development.