Asian Tour's hiatus to end in Xiamen

The Asian Tour will return to the Chinese mainland for the first time in nine years when the Asian Golf Championship debuts at Kaikou Golf Club in Xiamen, Fujian province, from Nov 30 to Dec 3.

The event is the first product of a new strategic partnership signed in March between the Asian Tour and the China Golf Association.

With a total prize purse of $350,000, the tournament is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and CGA.

The field will comprise of 56 Asian Tour professionals, 48 from the China Tour and four invitations.

Golfers from the China Tour will be eligible to take up associate memberships with the Asian Tour, with the top-five non-exempt players from the China Tour order of merit receiving spots into the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2018.

The winner of the Asia Golf Championship will earn an exemption on the Asian Tour under the winner's category, while China Tour players' earnings will count toward both tours' money lists.

"The co-sanction of the Asian Golf Championship is a new opportunity for both Chinese golf and the growth of the game in Asia in general," said CGA deputy secretary-general Pang Zheng.

"It will be a great tournament and a truly competitive one for golf fans to really enjoy."

Asian Tour CEO Josh Burack echoed those sentiments.

"The launch of the Asian Golf Championship is a significant development for professional golf in Asia," said Burack.

"Our strategic partnership with the CGA is a game-changer because the creation of tournaments like the Asian Golf Championship will greatly enhance playing opportunities for the many talented players from China and the Asian Tour members who will compete against them.

"A new chapter for Asian golf is ready to be written and we look forward to the start of the Asian Golf Championship as our Asian Tour members are excited to tee off in China again."

China has long been hailed as an important future market for golf and has produced players such as Zhang Lianwei, Liang Wenchong, Wu Ashun and Li Haotong, who have all won on the European Tour.