Singapore, Sep 7 (IANS) The 2017 Asian Tour Qualifying School will return to Thailand where aspiring golf professionals will attempt to earn their Tour cards over a three-week run starting from December 28, it was announced on Wednesday.
The Qualifying School will be conducted over two stages -- the first stage and final stage -- where the top-35 players and ties will subsequently earn playing rights on the region's premier Tour in 2017.
The first stage will be divided into two sections, Section A and B, and will be played at the Windsor Park and Golf Club (Course A and B) and Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club (West and North courses) from December 28 to 31, 2016 and January 4 to 7, 2017.
Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club will then host the all-important final stage for the first time which will be played over four rounds from January 11 to 14.
After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the leading 80 players and ties who will then play a further two rounds (East and South courses).
At the conclusion of 72 holes, the leading 35 players and ties will be ranked accordingly for the 2017 Asian Tour season.
Players who compete in the 2017 Qualifying School will also be eligible to play on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), which is the pathway to the Asian Tour.
The ADT also offers Official World Golf Ranking points, which is regarded as a huge boost for the development of the game in Asia.
Asian Tour Commissioner Kyi Hla Han is confident the 2017 Qualifying School will be another success as hopefuls go in search of emulating the success of Korea's Yikeun Chang, who topped the class in January this year.
"The Asian Tour received over 600 entries for our Qualifying School this year and we expect response to be overwhelming again," Chang said.
"The competition for the top-35 spots and ties is going to be intense but the rewards will be massive for successful entrants."
--IANS
pur/dg
