SWEDISH car giants Volvo have strengthened their golfing ties with China by agreeing to back the opening event in April's inaugural Volvo China Tour.
Known as the Volvo Open the 36-hole tournament will be staged at the Shenzhen Golf Club and will carry prize money of US$50,000.
The circuit includes four 36-hole tournaments in Guangdong Province followed by the US$400,000 Volvo China Open at the Beijing International Golf Club in the last week of April.
Hugo Boss and Coca-Cola are title sponsors for two of the other 36-hole events at Shenzhen Xili Golf Club and Mission Hills Golf Club respectively.
Alistair Polson, executive director of Richtone Worldwide Ltd who own the rights to the tour, said that discussions with potential sponsors were continuing for the second leg of the circuit to be held at the Honichi Golf Leisure Club.
Polson also revealed that Volvo have agreed to put up an additional US$10,000 bonus pool. The money will be awarded to the leading 10 players in the rankings after the four 36-hole tournaments.
