Volvo China Open Turns 16, Golf Stars Lineup for $2.8M Prize

Colin Montgomerie (Europe), Corey Pavin (USA), Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Liang Wenchong (China) and Y E Yang (South Korea) are all heading to the Volvo China Open to be a part of the event’s 16th anniversary this year.

The star lineup will compete for a record prize fund of US$2.8 million at the Jinji Lake International Golf Club, Suzhou, from April 15 to 18.

Volvo was the first western brand to invest in golf in China in 1995, and predictions stated that there could be 20 million golfers in China by the time of the Olympics in six-year-time.

"With the inclusion of golf in the Olympic Games from 2016, I feel certain that golf in China will take another leap forward from what is already one of the most remarkable sports development stories and I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of it," said Colin Montgomerie.

Also participating at the event will be Finnish F1 star Heikki Kovalainen playing the Pro-am ahead of Sunday's Chinese F1 Grand Prix.

"Having learned much at school over the first 15 years, the Volvo China Open is now into its university education and I am confident it will graduate to become a major force in world golf over the next five years," said Per Ericsson, President, Volvo Event Management (Golf), adding, "With the strength of Volvo Cars and Volvo Group jointly promoting the Volvo brand through China's flagship golf championship, the future is extremely bright indeed."