Future stars set to sparkle in Faldo Series Asia Grand Final

Many of the region's brightest golfing prospects will lock horns in this week's ninth Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.

To be contested over the acclaimed Nick Faldo-designed Faldo Course at Mission Hills China, the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event will showcase an array of talented young male and female players who are destined to become household names in the professional ranks in the near future.

Six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo, the tournament host and mastermind behind the Series, said: "There's always a tremendous sense of excitement and anticipation heading into the Grand Final.

"It's a wonderful stage for these boys and girls to show their mettle under pressure in a high-quality tournament on a high-quality golf course.

"For me, the chance to see at close quarters these golfers is one of the highlights of the year. The opportunity for me to contribute to setting them on the path to their professional goals is immensely rewarding.

"In the nine-year period since we inaugurated the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, we've been privileged to witness so many truly outstanding individuals who have gone on to achieve fame and fortune in the professional game - most notably Tseng Ya-ni among the girls and Rashid Khan among the boys.

"Their stories should act as an inspiration to all those who are lining up at Mission Hills this week as we seek to identify future world number ones and Major championship winners."

The China field will be made up of 95 players from no fewer than 18 countries and regions, including, for the first time, Bangladesh and New Zealand. Both countries were added to the Faldo Series Asia schedule in 2014-15.

Spearheading the New Zealand line-up will be Oscar Cadenhead, while Yuki Kamasu leads a powerful Japanese contingent, Viraaj Ganapathy Madappa carries the hopes of India and Putt Sridama flies the flag for Thailand.

In the girls' category, Pauline Del Rosario will be attempting to repel the challenge of fellow-Philippines prodigy Princess Mary Superal, the highly-rated Japanese duo of Yumi Kudo and Minami Hiruta and Thai Bunjaporn Zeng to retain the title she won last year.

Also in the line-up will be American Zachary Bauchou, Simon Zach from the Czech Republic and Brazilian Rohan Boettcher, all of whom qualified via the Faldo Series Europe Final.

As well as receiving the Faldo Series Asia trophy, the overall winner will be granted an exemption into an Asian Tour event. The girls' winner will be given a start in a Ladies European Tour event.

Both will also earn themselves an overseas trip to compete in the Faldo Series Europe Grand Final.

Meanwhile, China-based players will be vying for the Mission Hills Trophy.

Supported by The R&A and Mission Hills and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2014-15 Faldo Series Asia campaign has stretched over 11 months and has been made up of 19 championships.

Recognized as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries and regions worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past winners include Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, who took his tally of professional Major titles to four with his wins at last year's Open Championship and US PGA Championship. Endi