Defending champion Wu Ashun, the world’s highest-ranked Chinese golfer, will head the wealth of Chinese talent at the Volvo China Open in April.
The 22nd edition of the event is set to take place at Topwin Golf and Country Club in Beijing from April 28 to May 1, when Wu will attempt to become the first player to win back-to-back titles in the event.
In 2015, the 30 year old held off David Howell to win by one shot at Tomson Pudong Shanghai Golf Club, becoming the first Chinese champion on the European Tour since Liang Wenchong in 2007. He later won the European Tour Hilton Golfer of the Month award, and the triumph provided a significant driving force in the development of golf in China.
“This will be my ninth consecutive year competing in the national open championship of China,” said Wu, who will be joined by exciting home players such as Li Haotong and Guan Tian Lang. “The obvious difference is that I’m the defending champion, and it is a terrific honour for any professional golfer to enter a tournament this way, especially as the Volvo China Open is our oldest professional golf tournament and one which provides a great platform for Chinese golfers to compete in a world-class field.
“Winning their national title is what every golfer wants to do and it has given me more self-confidence as well as opening the door to more opportunities participating in other European Tour events.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in Beijing and I am totally committed to defending my title. Beijing is home to many keen and knowledgeable golfers, and I hope they will all come to Topwin Golf Club and cheer us on. The course is tremendous and very challenging.
“There hasn’t been a top international professional golf tournament in Beijing for a long time. It seems forever since I took park in the Volvo China Open there (in 2009). I truly believe that with the championship coming back to Beijing, it will have another profound impact on the development of golf in China.
“This is the first year that golf is an official event in the Olympic Games, and I would love to represent my country there. That is another reason why I am so keen to do really well in the Volvo China Open.”
Per Ericsson, President of Volvo Event Management, added: “It was really exciting when Wu became the 21st Volvo China Open Champion - a very special moment for Chinese golf.
“This year, the tournament returns to Beijing, and it will take place right beside the Great Wall at Topwin Golf and Country Club. If Wu becomes the first player ever to successfully defend this great title, it will be yet another historic moment for Chinese golf. And because this year’s tournament coincides with the Olympics, it would be fantastic to see Wu move on to compete in Rio.”
