Guangzhou, May 12: The Midea China Classic will make a return onto the Asian Tour Schedule in October with its prize fund boosted to a lucrative US$500,000, sponsors announced today.

 

Title sponsor, the Midea Group, said the tournament will be held once again at the Royal Orchid International Golf Club from October 16 to 19, 2008 and sanctioned by the Asian Tour and China Golf Association.

 

The Midea China Classic made a successful debut on the Asian Tour last year where Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant claimed a record ninth career victory after prevailing in a thrilling three-way play-off against compatriot Chinnarat Phadungsil and Simon Yates of Scotland.

Sentosa, May 12: Thailand’s sweet-swinging Chawalit Plaphol has added another feather in his cap when he surpassed the US$1 million barrier in career earnings after the conclusion of the Pine Valley Beijing Open on Sunday.

 

Chawalit’s tied 35^th finish at the Pine Valley Golf Club in China’s capital city saw him take his career winnings to US$1,002,284 and made him the seventh player from Thailand, and the 21^st overall, to reach the milestone.

 

His achievement also ensured that Thailand maintained its leading position as the country with the most number of golfing millionaires on the Asian Tour with seven stars hitting the career landmark.

Beijing, May 11: Japanese star Hiroyuki Fujita battled through a grueling day on course as he lifted the Pine Valley Beijing Open title on Sunday.

 

Fujita nailed his second straight even-par 72 in the final round and enjoyed a three stroke triumph in the US$1 million event which was sanctioned for the first time by the Japan Golf Tour alongside the Asian Tour and China Golf Association.

 

After a winning total of 12-under-par 276, the 39-year-old Japanese winner walked home with the top prize of US$158,500.

 

Sentosa, May 12: India’s Shiv Kapur enjoyed a top-20 finish at the Italian Open which concluded on Sunday.

The Asian Tour stalwart produced rounds of 70, 65, 70 and 69 for a 14-under-par 274 total to earn tied 17^th place, 11 shots behind winner Hennie Otto of South Africa.

 

Australian Scott Barr, who is a regular on the Asian Tour, finished a further stroke back after rounds of 70, 69, 65 and 71.