Petaling Jaya, June 30: Malaysia has once again been given the honour to host the Omega Mission Hills World Cup Asian Qualifier.

The Seri Selangor Golf Club will stage the Asian Qualifier from from August 3-6, 2011 where the top three nations will have a chance to compete in the US$7.5 million Omega Mission Hills World Cup at Mission Hills Resort on Hainan island, China from November 24-27.

It will be the third time that Seri Selangor will host the two-man team qualifying tournament. The par-71 golf course has previously hosted the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters on the Asian Tour.

Teams from Asia, including Malaysia, and Africa are expected to sign up for the Asian Qualifier.

The format of play will be similar to the World Cup where fourball is played in the first and third rounds while foursomes (alternate shot) is played in the second and final rounds.

Europe and South America will also host a qualifier each where the top three teams will earn tickets to the World Cup.

Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said the Omega Mission Hills World Cup Asian Qualifier was a wonderful opportunity for Asian teams to fight their way into World Cup, which is now staged biennially during odd-numbered years.

“Asian players rarely have the opportunity to represent their countries in team professional golf tournaments and I am sure the leading nations in the region will be determined to send their best players to the Omega Mission Hills World Cup Asian Qualifier,” said Han.

“There is no greater honour than to represent your country and I am sure the players will come out in full force and challenge for the three tickets to China,” he added.

In the last Qualifier, Pakistan, Philippines and Singapore qualified for the World Cup, which was eventually won by Italy, represented by the Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco.

Seri Selangor general manager Hairul Zaini said the club was delighted to have the opportunity to host the important team competition.

“We are proud to host the World Cup Asian Qualifier for the third time in our club’s history. In the last edition in 2009, our golf course presented a truly demanding test for the players which was reflected by the scores,” said Hairul.

A total of 28 nations will make up the final teams to play at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup. The winning team will share the champions’ cheque of US$2.4 million.

The Asian Tour is organising the Asian Qualifier on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours. – www.asiantour.com