OneAsia today confirmed the return of star players of Australian Scott Strange and China's Liang Wen-Chong to the opening event of the year, the Luxehills Chengdu Open from 1 - 4 April, at the Luxehills Country Club & Resort.
Strange returns to defend his 2009 OneAsia Order of Merit champion title after a stellar year which saw him walk home at the end of the season with winnings of US$505,783, just ahead of compatriots Adam Scott and Robert Allenby of Australia, and Bae Sang Moon of Korea.
Not only crowned champion at the Volvo China Open, Strange was also runner up to Robert Allenby at the 2009 Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, tied for 12th place at the Australian Open, and secured a further five European Tour top 10's.
“The OneAsia Tour is a great concept for the region’s best players competing on a tour that develops golf in those partnering countries," Strange said.
"As the winner last year's inaugural Order of Merit, I am really looking forward to 2010 and participating in the OneAsia events – hopefully last year’s form continues! I look forward to opening my 2010 account at the Luxehills Chengdu Open, and seeing the international players competing in Australia at the end of the year.”
The very first Chinese champion on the OneAsia Tour after a four-stroke win in the US$500,000 Midea China Classic in Shunde last year, Liang Wen-Chong is determined to make another victory on homeground.
“I really want to win again in China,” he said. “Midea was my best result last year and I’d really like to build on that against another quality international field at Luxehills. Major new events like the Luxehills Chengdu Open are important for Chinese golf. I’m happy to play in such major events in China to support the development of Chinese golf."
It will be the first time that Liang will play at Luxehills.
"We are truly honoured to have both Liang Wen-Chong and Scott Strange kick off the OneAsia season at the Luxehills Chengdu Open", said Ben Sellenger, OneAsia's Chief Executive.
"Their presence at Luxehills Chengdo Open underscores the OneAsia mission to provide Asia-Pacific's best golfers with the very best elite playing opportunities possible, bringing them together on one platform to play against a completely full field of the very best opponents from across the region."
The Luxehills Championship will be the first of 11 events scheduled on the 2010 OneAsia calendar.
For more information go to www.oneasia.asia