Liao Guiming is also among those looking to benefit from the absence of Zhang Lianwei, whom he beat in a play-off for the Sofitel Golf Championship in May for his first win on Tour.

　　Zhang, who leads second-placed Liao in this year’s Omega Order of Merit, and Li Chao, the money list winner in 2005 and 2007, are both flying the China flag in this week’s Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

　　The inaugural Luxehills Golf Championship, which was postponed from its original June dates due to the Sichuan Earthquake on May 12, will be held over the testing 7,335-yard, Mark Hollinger-designed layout at the Luxehills International Country Club.

　　Luxehills, which announced its title sponsorship of the event earlier this year, is fast gaining recognition as one of China’s top golf clubs and next month will play host to the country’s Ninth National Golf Clubs General Managers Conference.

　　Along with its 18-hole championship layout, the club also boasts a 42-bay driving range and multi-function practice facilities designed by JMP Golf Design Group, while other attractions include seven tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a gymnasium.