Asia's top players will go head-to-head with six of the game's leading stars including the defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez and world number three Ernie Els (pictured) in the BMW Asian Open 2005 at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club from April 28-May 1. The sponsors also announced that China's top golfer Zhang Lianwei, seven-times European Tour number one Colin Montgomerie, six-times Major winner Nick Faldo and inaugural Asian Open champion Jarmo Sandelin will compete in the US$1.5 million event, sanctioned by the China Golf Association, Asian Tour and European Tour.

All eyes will be on Zhang, who will be driving for a home victory. He said: 'The competitors taking part in the Asian Open are even better than in the previous year. No matter how the tournament ends, it is a challenge and an honour at the same time for me to play in Shanghai.' Jochen Goller, of the sponsors, said: 'The Open has now become one of the leading golf events in Asia. With our move to Shanghai, we have given golf in the growing China market a new boost.'

Spaniard Jimenez is an expert at winning Asian titles. Last year, he won tournaments in Thailand, Hong Kong and China en route to his best ever season as a professional. His title defence is expected to come under threat from Els, last year's European Tour Order of Merit winner. In 2004, Els, known as the 'Big Easy', won five tournaments worldwide and could have easily added a few more, especially at the Majors where he finished second in the US Masters and British Open.