NANJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open will offer a total prize of 1.2 million RMB (about 175,000 U.S. dollars), the highest purse in the five seasons of the Omega China Tour.

    Champion of the April 23-26 golf event will receive a cheque for 225,000 RMB (about 33,000 U.S. dollars).

    The Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open is the third edition of the Nanjing event formerly known as the Sofitel Golf Championship.

    The tournament's new status was officially announced at a press conference and signing ceremony at the Sofitel Zhongshan Golf Resort, Nanjing.

    The event's new name reflects the increased involvement of the award-winning Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club and its Gary Player-designed layout, which is hosting the event for the third successive year.

    It is the second event on this year's Omega China Tour following the one million RMB Dell Championship in March.

    "We're excited the Omega China Tour is coming for a third time to the famous, Gary Player-designed course for a special event that has helped grow golf in the historic city of Nanjing, renowned for its culture and traditions," said Gary Lu, Regional Marketing and Communications Manager for Sofitel Greater China.

    "This is a great opportunity for local citizens and visitors to watch top-quality golf live," he added.

    "Sofitel has raised its brand awareness in China by sponsoring the Omega China Tour, which has become stronger year by year and continues to expand and diversify. Both the Omega China Tour and Sofitel are flourishing."

    Nelson Jia, General Manager of Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club, believes this year's event can match the excitement of last May, when Liao Guiming beat Zhang Lianwei in a play-off after the pair and teenager James Su Dong fought a tense final-day battle that thrilled the large galleries.

    "We're delighted the Sofitel Zhongshan IGC Open will be the richest-ever event on the circuit with a purse of RMB1.2 million.

    The higher prize money marks the rapid development and progress of the Omega China Tour in only five seasons," Jia said.

    "The Omega China Tour is still young in international terms, but the level of Chinese players is improving, the number of players is increasing and fields are becoming more international," he added.

    "The bigger prize money is a big attraction for this event and I definitely believe the re will be more spectators coming to Zhongshan this time, not only from Nanjing but also from eastern China."

    The luxurious 140-room Sofitel Zhongshan Golf Resort neighbors the golf club, making the Nanjing event one of the most popular on Tour and an ideal showcase for the luxurious French brand, which has been the Official Hotel of the Omega China Tour since 2007.

    "As an elegant, fashionable sport, golf matches Sofitel's branding image and spirit. There's a natural association as golf and top-class hotels have similar clientele. Golfers stay in hotels and many of our hotel guests like playing golf," Lu said.

    "The Omega China Tour is a comparatively new tour and we enjoy growing with it and being part of the development of professional golf in China.

    "We look forward to see more new stars, more players from different areas, new champions and watching Chinese players improve their performance in mainland and international tournaments."

    Jia is proud of the way Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club has established itself on China's golfing map since opening in 2006.

    Wu Kangchun and Liao both earned the maiden professional victories at the Sofitel event, the latter going on to win last year's Omega Order of Merit.

    "Zhongshan is still a relatively new golf club, but we're already hosting our third Omega China Tour event, which is testament to the course's condition and how it has matured into a true championship-standard layout," Jia said.

    "The winter grass has grown well, so the fairways and greens are in great condition, and the new trees have grown to provide better scenery for the golfers.

    "We trust the likes of Zhang Lianwei, Li Chao and Liao Guiming will enjoy their week in Zhongshan and we'll ensure they're pleased with the green speed and course quality," he said.