The Venetian Macao Open is poised to welcome a stellar line-up of stars from the Asian Tour, with seven Order of Merit champions and no fewer than 45 Tour champions primed to challenge defending champion Anirban Lahiri for his title next week.

In addition to the presence of four-time Major winner Ernie Els, seven players from the current top-10 of the Merit list and seven other former champions of the Venetian Macao Open, including two-time winner Zhang Lian-wei of China, will tee up at the challenging Macau Golf and Country Club from October 15-18.

Reigning Asian Tour number one David Lipsky will also return to Asian soil for the first time since April and will be banking on a recent tied third finish in Italy to spur him towards a third Asian Tour title.

Lahiri, currently top of the Merit list, is expected to fight hard to retain his crown especially when he will arrive in Macao on the back of a maiden appearance at the on-going Presidents Cup in Korea where he is the first Indian to feature in the biennial team competition.

“The Venetian Macao Open is certainly one of the best tournaments we play all year. It’s very intimate and it’s just great fun to be right in the heart of Macao,” said the 28-year-old Lahiri, who is ranked 39^th in the world.

Other stars in the top-10 of the current Merit rankings heading to Macao include second-ranked Andrew Dodt of Australia, 2013 Venetian Macau Open champion Scott Hend of Australia, Malaysia’s Danny Chia, S.S.P. Chawrasia of Indian, Canadian Richard T. Lee, and Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee, who is also making his debut at the Presidents Cup.

Thongchai, the only man to win three Order of Merit crowns in Asia, has two top-10s in Macao and will be eyeing a victory to add to his 13titles across the region.

Former double Asian Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant, who holds a record 18 Tour wins, and Gaganjeet Bhullar of India will be amongst those chasing for a second victory in the US$1 million Venetian Macao Open, which has established itself as a premier event in Asia since its launch in 1998.

Grip it-and-rip it Thai hero Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who has won twice already this season on the European Tour, will be expected to rise up the leaderboard in his third visit to the Venetian Macao Open.

“It has been a great season so far for me with two wins and if I can continue to play my best golf in Macao, I know I will be able to contend when I get there,” said Kiradech.

The prestigious tournament, into its 17^th edition, will see its total prize fund increase for a third consecutive year, taking it to the all-important US$1 million mark.

Since its inauguration in 1998, many other world class golfers have graced the fairways of Macau Golf & Country Club, including Lee Westwood (winner in 1999), Colin Montgomerie (winner in 2003), Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam and Mark O’Meara .

The Venetian Macao Open is organised by the Macao Sport Development Board of Macao SAR Government and the Golf Association of Macau. Sanctioned by the latter and the Asian Tour, The Venetian® Macao is supporting the iconic event as title sponsor for the fourth successive year.

For more details on the Venetian Macao Open, please visit: www.thevenetianmacaoopen.com.