Bridging the gap in race for Web.com cards

PGA Tour Series-China’s fourth season will conclude with a flourish in October as the battle for Web.com Tour cards hurtles toward an exciting climax.

The circuit has announced that the season’s final three events will tee off in the three cities along the Pearl River Delta that are set to be linked by a major new bridge and tunnel system: Macao, Zhuhai and Hong Kong.

The tournaments will help determine the top five finishers on the order of merit, who will all earn status for the US-based 2019 Web.com Tour, the path to the PGA Tour.

Caesars Golf Macao will open the three-week swing with the Macao Championship from Sept 27-30 in the tour’s first visit to the “Las Vegas of the East”.

The Orient Golf Club will stage the Zhuhai Championship from Oct 4-7, and the season will wrap up with the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club in Hong Kong hosting the Clearwater Bay Open from Oct 11-14.

The scheduling could coincide with the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge — the world’s largest sea-crossing structure, spanning roughly 55 kilometers and consisting of one undersea tunnel and three cablestayed bridges.

“We’re thrilled to conclude our season in the vibrant cities of Macao, Zhuhai and Hong Kong,” said Greg Carlson, executive director of the tour.

“It will be our first visit to Caesars Golf Macau, our second visit to the Orient Golf Club in Zhuhai and our third event at Clearwater Bay, so we are looking forward to building our relationships with these clubs.

‘Unique experience’

“I know the players will love the opportunity to come play these great venues. The three cities will provide players with a unique experience and it took a lot of planning to make this a reality.

“I am very excited to see how the final three events play out.

“Having this opportunity to finish the season at three world-class venues will be an amazing way for us to cap a great year.”

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Chihuang shot a 3-under 69 to top the 18-hole Monday qualifier and secure entry into this week’s 1.5 million yuan ($220,000) Suzhou Open.

China’s Song Chao carded a 70 to secure second at the Gary Player-designed Jinji Lake Golf Club, one stroke ahead of Japan’s Ryoma Yamagata.

Gregory Moss of the US and China’s Shi Jian both carded 72 to share fourth.

China’s Yi Bo fired a 73 to tie for sixth with Chinese Taipei’s David Shen and South Korea’s Lee Jae-won, one ahead of South Korean duo Jeong Hyunchang and Park Yong-hee, who earned the final two spots in a three-way playoff.

Tsai, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, was thrilled to earn his spot in the tournament after making five birdies.

“Today my performance was very good. I am hitting my driver and irons very well, and that helped me make the five birdies,” said the 49-year-old.

“I’ve played a lot of golf recently, so now I need to rest to prepare for Thursday. I am very excited.”

The 29-year-old Song was also raring to tee off on Thursday after sinking four birdies in qualifying.

“My putter was extremely good; the fairways here are quite wide and the grass on the links course is very impressive,” said Song.

“On Thursday I hope I can hit my driver better because I’ve played this course many times.

“I think that will give me an advantage to do well.”