Record $1.8 million purse for Asian Open

LONDON, Apr 8 (Reuters) A record prize fund of 1.8 million dollars will be on offer at this month's Asian Open in Shanghai, the European Tour said in a news release today.

The purse has been increased by 300,000 dollars for the April 20-23 event tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and the China Golf Association.

Several top-quality players have confirmed their entries including world number 10 Luke Donald, eight-times European number one Colin Montgomerie and this season's order of merit leader David Howell.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, the 2004 champion, six-times major winner Nick Faldo and Denmark's Thomas Bjorn are also scheduled to take part.

The Asian challenge will be led by China's top-ranked professional Zhang Lian-wei.

It will be the third year in a row that the tournament is held at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.

Ernie Els of South Africa romped to victory last season by a record 13-shot margin.

Reuters OM VP0037