Kota Kinabalu: The race for places on OneAsia in 2012 heats up with two First Stage tournaments taking place this week before next week’s crucial Final Stage.
With at least 14 tournaments on OneAsia this season offering an overall purse of nearly US$16 million the pressure is mounting as many of the region’s leading professionals bid to secure their playing privileges.
Malaysia is hosting these nail biting latter stages with a First Stage event over three rounds starting at Palm Resort Golf & Country Club in Johor today and another starting tomorrow at Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club in Sabah.
The leading players from these qualifiers will then progress into next week’s Final Stage, which is being played at Sutera Harbour from January 10 to 13.
A First Stage tournament was also played in Australia in December and saw 17 players earn their places in next week’s draw. In the Final Stage players will compete for over 20 OneAsia cards through four rounds.
“The stakes are high for competitors because by winning a Tour card they will be eligible for every event on OneAsia this season. Graduates will be able to plan their year around an impressive schedule of million dollar events which is a scenario that every Touring professional wants,” said David Parkin, Director of Tour Operations, OneAsia.
Many will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s Qualifying School winner Han Chang-won.
The Korean teenager claimed the Qualifying School by six strokes and went on to finish seventh on the money list with earnings of US$135,078.
The Final Stage is being supported by the Sabah Tourism Board.
“We are truly excited that Sutera Harbour is able to host two stages of the 2012 OneAsia Qualifying School. We can expect to welcome some of the finest professional golfers from the Asia Pacific region as they attempt to compete for places on the lucrative OneAsia circuit,” said Brian Werner, General Manager of , Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club.
The OneAsia season starts in March with the US$1 million Indonesia Open, which is one of five national Opens on the schedule.
