ZHANG WELCOMES RECORD FIELD FOR OMEGA CHINA TOUR(2)

　　One major reason behind the growing numbers of players is the Tour's new allocation of a limited number of places to foreign professionals resident in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Taipei. Two weeks ago, a qualifying school was held in Zhuhai for foreign players and saw 10 gain cards for this year's circuit.

　　In addition to the new foreign professionals, there will also be two invites each from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau for every event.

　　Zhang said the new players could pose a challenge to the dominance of the Tour by himself and Li Chao, the Omega Order of Merit winner in 2005 and 2007.

　　"All new players raise the standard of the tournaments. However, it's not just the foreign players we have to watch out for but the new youngsters in China, what I call the 'New Generation', such as Hu Mu, Su Dong and Ye Jianfeng," said Zhang, who won the Omega Order of Merit in 2006 but finished runner-up to Li last year.

　　"I did well last year but only played four events on the Tour, and I'm still confirming my schedule for this year."

　　Hong Kong-born Jovick Lee won the recent qualifying school for foreigners, and is one of a large group of newcomers looking to emulate the likes of Zhang and Li.

　　"I'm excited to be one of the new foreign players on the Omega China Tour and I'm looking to do well on the circuit this year," Lee said.

　　"I'm really looking forward to playing at Dragon Lake, which is a fascinating course, and I aim to compete in the rest of the Tour events this year," he added.

　　The Guangzhou Championship starts on Thursday.