Asian Swing: What is at stake at the final event in China?

With one event left on the Asian Swing, 17 players are still in contention to emerge as the Swing champion as the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai continues at the Volvo China Open.

Returning to the schedule for the first time since 2019, this week’s event is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the China Tour, with Hidden Grace Golf Club – a European Tour Destinations venue – playing host in Shenzhen. 

While the Masters Tournament and the upcoming U.S. PGA Championship feature within the Asian Swing schedule, points accrued in the Major Championships this season do not count on the swing rankings, only doing so on the season-long Race to Dubai Rankings.

Here, we recap what is on offer through the Asian Swing, what has happened so far and answer the key questions at stake ahead of its climax.

What is on offer through the Asian Swing?

As with the four other Global Swings, the Asian Swing will have its own champion who will earn $200,000 from an overall $1million bonus pool.

Swing champions will also qualify for each of the Back 9 events, where players will play for increased Race to Dubai ranking points.

The leading DP World Tour member (not otherwise exempt) will also qualify for the Genesis Scottish Open, the second of five Rolex Series events this season.

But in another exciting reward for DP World Tour members, those who finish in positions one to three in the final Asian Swing standings (at the conclusion of the Volvo China Open) will be exempt into the U.S. PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club from May 16-19.

What has happened so far?

After finishing second twice earlier on in his rookie campaign, European Challenge Tour graduate Jesper Svensson won his first DP World Tour title at Laguna National Golf Resort Club with a play-off victory against Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Rising star Keita Nakajima then became the sixth first-time winner on this year's Race to Dubai at the Hero Indian Open, held at DLF Golf & Country Club in New Delhi – widely regarded as one of the most difficult tests players face all year.

Yuto Katsuragawa then continued a history-making season for players from Japan by becoming the third first-time winner from his nation on the DP World Tour with victory on home soil at the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP.

As a result, Asian players have won two of the three events in the Asian Swing so far, with Thailand’s Aphibarnrat second in Singapore. Could the trend of Asian players excelling in ‘home’ conditions continue this week?

To view the tee times for the opening two rounds of the Volvo China Open, click here.

Who is leading the way in the Asian Swing?

After three of the four-event Asian Swing, Sebastian Söderberg holds a slender lead (27.41 points) over former World Number One amateur Nakajima after finishing second in back-to-back events in India and Japan.

While he may have missed the cut in Japan, fellow Swede Svensson sits tied third on the swing following his victory in Singapore with Katsuragawa.

With 500 Race to Dubai points on offer for the winner in China, there is opportunity for lots to change with the rewards in sight - including three spots in the US PGA Championship.

Who can still win the Asian Swing?

While any player down to 21st on the Asian Swing, there are 17 players who are still in contention to top the rankings with Nakajima, Katsuragawa, Marcel Schneider and Matthieu Pavon not in action on the DP World Tour this week.

• To view the current Asian Swing standings, click here.

Who can qualify for the US PGA Championship through the Asian Swing?

DP World Tour members who finish in positions 1 to 3 only in the final Asian Swing ranking (at the conclusion of the Volvo China Open on the May 5, 2024) will be exempt into the 2024 US PGA Championship.

As it stands, Nakajima (who is in position two), will qualify through his top 3 position on the International Federation Official World Golf Ranking List as of April 29, 2024, leaving Söderberg, Katsuragawa and Svensson in position for a place in the second Major of the year. With Katsuragawa not in the field for the Volvo China Open however, if Svensson makes the cut he would jump ahead to claim third on his own - if players beneath him don't overtake.

With 500 points on offer available to the winner, all 113 players on the Asian Swing ranking would be able to move into the top three with a victory.

There are only three players in the field who could still earn one of the three spots available without a win. With 334 points available to the player who finishes in second place, only Aphibarnrat, Sam Bairstow and Johannes Veerman would be able to move into the top three via a second place finish.

With 188 points awarded to the player in third place, only Aphibarnrat would be able to move into third place with a top three. He is currently 120.85 points behind third place Svensson and Katsuragawa, meaning he needs to finish in a minimum of fifth place or better to secure a place into the US PGA Championship.