Beijing’s China Open becomes second most lucrative event on the snooker calendar after million-pound cash injection

The bonanza is being put up by joint-promoters Star Xing Pai and Beijing Fuhua Culture Tourism Development Ltd. Co. as part of a new four-year deal.

The cash injection means that the winner’s cheque will be worth £225,000 at the April 1-8 event, almost tripling what the victory was worth last season.

The move makes the event the second most lucrative on the tour behind the flagship World Championship, which is held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England and offers winning prize money of £425,000.

The China Open was first held in the Chinese capital in 2005 when a precocious Ding Junhui exploded onto the scene at 18 years old sparking a wave of interest in the sport across the country.

World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said the new deal cements the China Open as the top event in Asia.

“This is a fantastic announcement which establishes the China Open in Beijing as the flagship tournament in Asia,” Hearn said on worldsnooker.com.