China awaits the arrival of three major champions and two Ryder Cup winning captains, as well as a host of international stars, for the inaugural ISPS Handa Senior World Championship at Mission Hills China.

The first fully-sanctioned European Senior Tour event to take place in China will feature some of the game's greatest names including: two-time major champion Sandy Lyle, major champion and Ryder Cup winning captain Ian Woosnam, major champion Wayne Grady, Ryder Cup winning captain Sam Torrance and 2011 Order of Merit winner Boonchu Ruangkit.

The 72-player field comes from 20 countries and regions and has won no fewer than 125 European Tour titles. It will compete for the $350,000 first prize on the famous Jack Nicklaus-designed World Cup course at Mission Hills, Shenzhen, from March 11-13.

"I am thrilled that the Senior Tour is heading to China", said Lyle, winner of the 1985 Open championship and 1988 US Masters. "I am really looking forward to competing in what will be an historic occasion for the Tour."

Ian Woosnam, the 2006 European Ryder Cup captain and winner of the Green Jacket at the 1991 US Masters said: "I am extremely excited about the prospect of playing in China, especially on the World Cup course at Mission Hills, Shenzhen, which has so much history. It will be a great occasion for the Tour and for golf fans in China."

The Championship is co-sanctioned by the China Golf Association (CGA) and will feature a number of China's own senior pros who are competing in qualification for the tournament. They will compete against some of the legends of the game in this groundbreaking Senior event, the first on Chinese soil.

China Daily

(China Daily 02/25/2011 page23)