Prize money for the 2007 Volvo China Open will increase to $2 million when the 13th edition returns to the Shanghai Silport Golf Club from April 12-15.

Organizers also announced that for the first time, an Open international qualifying event offering three spots into the Championship will be staged in Hong Kong later this month while three more qualifying events offering nine places will be held for China's hopefuls.

The open was won last year by India's Jeev Milkha Singh.

Volvo Event Management President and CEO Mel Pyatt said they are maintaining their mission to promote golf in China through the staging of its national Open.

"Twelve years ago, we placed our faith firmly in the future of Chinese golf by becoming the first international corporation to sponsor the game here and established the China Open.

"We have succeeded in maintaining a sustainable growth for the Open which has grown into one of the major events on the international calendar. With a record prize fund of $2 million this year, this signifies a massive 500 per cent growth since our inaugural event was held in 1995," said Pyatt.

The qualifiers will be held in Dongguan Harbour Plaza Golf Club (March 6-7), Discovery Bay Golf Club, Hong Kong (March 13-14), Shanghai Silport Golf Club (March 20-21) and Beijing CBD International Golf Club (April 3-4).

Following the staging of the 13th edition in 2007, the China Open will return to the Beijing CBD International Golf Club in 2008 to commemorate the Olympic Games which will be held in the Chinese capital.

Source: China Daily