Irish Golf Desk

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Want to play a European Tour event? Qualifying open for Shenzen International

Brian Keogh

The chance to compete against some of the world’s best players at the Shenzhen International from April 21-24 – included among them will be tournament ‘ambassador’ Bubba Watson, the double Masters champion from the United States - will be the reward for six players who successfully come through the 36-hole Shenzhen International Open Qualifying at the Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club’s B Course from March 21-24, 2016.

The Shenzhen International – the first stop in China for the European Tour in 2016 – will also be held at the Shenzhen Genzon Golf Club.

For the Chinese players in the field there will be a ‘tournament within a tournament’, with the chance to stake an early claim for a place in the two-man team that will represent China at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, later this year.

Fighting hard to make the team will be China’s rising star Li Haotong, who finished runner-up in the inaugural event in 2015.   

In total, 132 professional and amateur players will attempt to qualify for what is a fully-fledged European Tour event. The prize fund for this year’s qualifying event has been increased three-fold from RMB100, 000 (approximately US$15,000) to RMB300, 000 (approximately US$45,000) – a record for a qualifying event in China.

The fund will be shared among the top 20 professionals, with the overall winner collecting RMB60, 000 (approximately US$9,000). The field will be made up of 50 professionals affiliated to the China Golf Association; 50 overseas professionals; and 32 amateurs and teaching professionals.

The Genzon Group, the Organiser of the Shenzhen International, is committed to promoting the development of golf in China.

Through the Shenzhen International tournament, the company is providing a launch pad for promising amateur and junior golfers - many of whom dream of turning professional – by giving them the chance to develop their skills in a world-class event. In 2015, the Shenzhen International Open Qualifying Tournament attracted She Zihan, Chen Yilong, Liu Ziwei, Wang Dongyu, Yang Yinong and many other brilliant teenage golfers, who have since participated in various tournaments at home and abroad.

Likewise, players from other tours also participated in the 2015 Shenzhen International Open Qualifying Tournament, such as Scott Barr from the Asian Tour, who qualified to compete in the main event in 2015.

It is expected that this year’s qualifying event will be of the same high standard by attracting the brightest young crop of Chinese players, as well as players from other tours, making the 2016 Shenzhen International even more exciting and memorable.

Shenzhen International Qualifying Schedule

  • Monday, 21st March: Practice day 
  • Tuesday, 22nd March: Practice day
  • Wednesday, 23th March: Round 1
  • Thursday, 24th March: Final Round

To enter