Volvo Cars has reiterated its commitment to golf in China with the announcement it has extended its contract with the China Golf Association to title sponsor, operate and promote the China Open for the next five years. The tournaments will be co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and China Tour.
The 30th edition of the Volvo China Open, taking place from April 17-20, 2025, will be held at Shanghai Enhance Anting Golf Club and will have a prize purse of US$2.5million. The Robert Trent Jones II-designed club in the city’s Jiading District will host China’s national open for three consecutive years.
At a Shanghai press conference, Tian Xiao Jun, Vice Chairman of the China Golf Association, said the “blueprint” for the country’s participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games was already underway and the staging of the Volvo China Open played a key role in the preparations.
“We are aware that the brightest Chinese talents need to hone their game in international events to become more competitive against their counterparts from around the world – the Volvo China Open is an ideal platform,” said Tian at the conference that was attended by Luo Wen Hua, Deputy Director of Shanghai Administration of Sports, Ding Jiong Jiong, Deputy Head of Shanghai’s Jiading District and Yuan Xiao Lin, Senior Vice President, Volvo Car Group, President and CEO, Volvo Car Asia Pacific.
“The national championship gives Chinese golfers the opportunity to learn from top international players and earn valuable world ranking points. When 2028 arrives, we can make our mark in the Olympics.”
Shanghai has had a long association with the Volvo China Open and 2025 will mark the 10th time a club in the city has hosted the championship. Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament and Operation Officer of the European Tour group, said the willingness of clubs in China’s financial capital to support and host the championship has helped in growing the game in China as well as cultivating homegrown talent that can compete on the international stage.
Over the years, the Volvo China Open has produced such homegrown champions as Chen Jun (1997), Zhang Lian-wei (2003), Wu Ashun (2015), Li Haotong (2016), Zhang Huilin (2020) and Zhang Jin (2021).
“The previous 29 editions of the Volvo China Open, which were held in some of major cities across China, have formed a huge fan base,” said Cowen. The tournament will form part of the ‘Asian Swing’, the third of five ‘Global Swings’ on the 2025 Race to Dubai.
“Hopefully, the DP World Tour stars can put on a spectacular display of golf for the fans when the 30th Volvo China Open is held in Shanghai. At the same time, we will be aiming to attract more Chinese players to the field for them to showcase their talents on this great platform and reach higher stages.”
Michel Zhao, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Volvo China Open, who signed a cooperation agreement on behalf of the event with Ozzie Ling, Managing Director, Enhance Anting Golf Club, said the 30th anniversary of the tournament was not only an important milestone for the event but “also a good moment for looking back while looking forward”.
“For many years, Volvo Cars has worked closely with the China Golf Association, not only in gradually developing and strengthening our national championship, but also effectively promoting the game nationwide,” she said. “As Confucius said, a man is steadfast at the age of 30. So it is fitting that we will do our best to present a special 30th anniversary celebration for the whole country next year.”
With Shanghai SunIsland International, Tomson Shanghai Pudong and Shanghai Silport (a record seven times) all previously serving as host venues to the championship, the competitors in the Volvo China Open will once again face a stern test on an excellent but supremely challenging layout in Enhance Anting.
Opened in 2005, the par-72, 7,317-yard course is considered a Trent Jones II masterpiece. Running adjacent to Suzhou Creek, the parkland-style course features an interconnected system of lakes, wetlands for wildlife and waterfowl, abundant mounding and hills and fescue grasses that are best avoided. The courses finishes with one of the famed American designer’s signature “crescendo” holes in the par-five 18th, a 614-yard monster of a hole with a split fairway leading to an elevated green that is sure to provide the championship with dramatic finishes.
“We are very honored to cooperate with the Volvo China Open officials over the next three years. This is the first time that Enhance Anting has hosted such a prestigious international event,” said Managing Director Ling.
“The club will do its best to provide high-quality supporting services and present a great-conditioned venue for the world's top players. We believe that through this event, global audiences can not only feel the unique urban charm and profound sports culture of Shanghai, but also enjoy the warmth and hospitality of Enhance Anting.”
The 2025 Volvo China Open is hosted by the China Golf Association, title-sponsored, operated, and promoted by Volvo Cars. It is the 93rd DP World Tour event sponsored by Volvo Cars.
