新浪体育讯　April 16, 2009: Malaysian star Danny Chia heads a quartet of Southeast Asian pros set to compete in next week’s RMB1.2 million Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open in Nanjing, the second event on this year’s Omega China Tour。

　　Lu Wen-teh and Lu Chien-soon have been confirmed as the Chinese Taipei invites for the event, which will be held from April 23-26 at the Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club。

　　Chia, the first Malaysian to win on the Asian Tour, will be joined by compatriot Khor Kheng Hwai and fast-rising Thai duo Wisut Arjanawat and Pariya Junhasavasdikul as representatives of the Mercedes-Benz Tour in the Omega China Tour’s richest event。

　　Chia made history by becoming the first Malaysian to win an Asian Tour event when he won the Taiwan Open in 2002, while in 2005 he became only the second Malaysian after Iain Steel to qualify for the British Open. The 36-year-old and Khor will now break ground on the Omega China Tour。

　　“It’s great we will be the first Malaysians to play on the Omega China Tour,” Chia said. We’ve heard a lot of positive things about the Tour, which provides more playing opportunities for golfers on the mainland and now players across the region. We’re really looking forward to maximising this opportunity in Nanjing。”

　　Wisut and Pariya are two of Thailand’s most exciting talents. Wisut lifted trophies in the Philippines and Vietnam on last year’s Mercedes-Benz Tour, while Pariya was victorious in Singapore. Thais Wittawat Sae-ung and Passamet Pokamnerd and Filipino Felix Casas competed in last month’s Dell Championship in Xiamen。

　　Chinese Taipei legend Lu Chien-soon will also be making his Omega China Tour debut. Lu, now 49, was one of Asia’s top players in the 1980s, winning the Order of Merit on the old Asian Tour in 1983 and 1988, and lifting the Singapore Open trophy in 1983 and 1989. He also won the 1998 Taiwan Open among many successes in a career that also included time on the Japan Tour。

　　Lu Wen-teh, 46, became the first non-mainland player to triumph on the circuit last April when he won the Kunming Championship and his victory was followed by wins for compatriots Hsu Mong-nan and Tsai Chi-huang, who bagged back-to-back titles。

　　The easy-going Lu finished ninth in last month’s Dell Championship while compatriot Lin Keng-chi, the 1995 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, finished in a share of 10th place on his debut. Lu has won five times on the Asian Tour, including a second straight Mercuries Taiwan Masters title last year, and teamed up with Masters debutant Lin Wen-tang at last November’s Omega Mission Hills World Cup。

　　Wong Woon-man and Tang Shing-chi will be Hong Kong’s two invites for the second straight event after the latter made his debut in Xiamen. Lawrence Petryk will be the first Macanese player to take up one of the two spots offered to the Macau PGA。

　　The Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open is the third edition of the Nanjing event formerly known as the Sofitel Golf Championship. The new name reflects the increased involvement of Nanjing Zhongshan and its Gary Player-designed layout, which is hosting the event for the third successive year。

　　Last May, Liao Guiming beat Zhang Lianwei in a play-off after the pair and teenage sensation James Su Dong fought out a final-day battle that thrilled the large galleries. Wu Kangchun won the 2007 edition in his first event as a professional。

　　The 140-room Sofitel Zhongshan Golf Resort overlooks the Gary Player layout, making the Nanjing event one of the circuit’s most popular and an ideal showcase for the luxurious French hospitality brand, which has been the Official Hotel of the Omega China Tour since 2007。