Golf-Asian Tour set to feature record number of tournaments

SINGAPORE, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The 2009 Asian Tour is poised to offer a record number of events with a total prize fund of more than $42 million.

Executive chairman Kyi Hla Han announced a 28-tournament schedule on Tuesday, adding the tour was still trying to finalise five more. There were 30 events this year offering $39 million in prize money.

"The 2009 Asian Tour schedule will represent the finest collection of the best tournaments across Asia, spanning from India all the way to Australia," Han said in a news release.

"We are also looking forward to the European Masters in Switzerland ... a ground-breaking event as it will be the first European event to be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour."

Schedule:

Jan 9-11: Royal Trophy, Bangkok, Thailand

22-25: Asian Tour International, venue tbc * Feb 5-8: Indian Masters, Delhi * 12-15: Malaysian Open, venue tbc * 19-22: Johnnie Walker Classic, Perth, Australia * 26-Mar 1: Indonesia Open, Bali

26-Mar 1: WGC-Accenture Match Play, Marana, U.S.

Mar 5-8: Thailand Open, venue tbc