Sungai Buloh: The burgeoning Asian Development Tour (ADT), which is the secondary circuit of the Asian Tour, enters a new and exciting era when the third season begins Wednesday with all events receiving Official World Golf Rankings points from this year onwards.

The RM200,000 (approximately US$65,000) Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) CCM Rahman Putra Masters will enjoy the privilege of becoming the first ADT tournament to receive world ranking points, which will be used to determine the field when golf makes a return to the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro in 2016.

“This week marks a new dawn for the ADT. It is a wonderful recognition for the ADT to have Official World Golf Ranking status and this will offer emerging players the opportunity to boost their rankings and play their way into the Olympics in 2016 with consistent performances,” said Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han.

Highly-rated Nicholas Fung of Malaysia is in buoyant mood ahead of the Rahman Putra Masters, having successfully earned his Asian Tour card through Qualifying School in Thailand last weekend.

“It is a very good opportunity to boost my points on the Official World Golf Rankings. I think this is good for up-coming players such as myself,” said the bespectacled Fung, who will be amongst the favourites at the Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia from January 30 to February 2.

“My confidence is really high at the moment since Qualifying School. Earning my Asian Tour card really helped with my confidence and I’ve been playing very well. I was very happy when I finished inside the top-40 because I can play more on the Asian Tour and also hone my game on the ADT,” added Fung, who is the reigning Order of Merit champion on the domestic circuit.

Sanctioned with the PGM Tour, the tournament will kick start the ADT Order of Merit race where the top three players at the end of the season will earn Asian Tour cards for 2014. All winners on the ADT will receive a minimum of six world ranking points while the top-six players and ties will earn points based on a sliding scale.

Among the notable names playing at the CCM Rahman Putra Masters include Singaporeans Mardan Mamat and Lam Chih Bing, Zaw Moe of Myanmar as well as Australian Unho Park.